Brentside High School challenges all to achieve excellence as lifelong learners with the highest expectations of themselves and others. No exceptions, no excuses.

EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ)

Students taking advanced courses will be required to take the Level 3 extended project which is a qualification designed by universities to ensure that students have the skills required for higher education. Students will develop a project of their own choosing in a topic that interests them. Students will be supported in a weekly lesson. In employment, there is an increasing trend towards management through the use of projects of various sizes and duration, making the extended project relevant to all career paths.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Spending as little as one day with an employer, doing simple tasks or merely work shadowing (watching an experienced employee at work) can be hugely beneficial for your future. 

Work experience has many benefits including:

• developing transferable skills, such as communication and teamworking
• understanding how organisations work or bringing a job you have read about to life
• building confidence in interacting with adults
• confirming interest in a career or (equally useful) deciding if it is not for you
• opening up opportunities- if you impress an employer you may be asked back on a more formal arrangement such as an internship or encouraged to apply when vacancies arise
• providing valuable content for a UCAS personal statement to give evidence of an interest in a particular subject/occupation

For some sectors, such as media production, the most useful route in is through work experience before securing a job. 

At Brentside High School, we recognise that work experience is an invaluable part of your learning and preparation for transition to life after Sixth Form.  Whether you are considering a top university, apprenticeship or internship, work experience provides opportunities to engage with employers, develop your employability skills, broaden your knowledge and understanding of the world of work and open up opportunities for your future.

Where can I get support?

There are lots of ways to get support with finding a placement:

• Log on to Upskill Me for a list of up to date work experience opportunities.
• Speakers4schools also host work experience opportunities
• Check the weekly KS5 student bulletin for work experience opportunities
• Research companies in sectors that link to subjects you are studying
• Your citizenship teachers will be delivering lessons on how to find high quality work experience placements

MOOCs (massive online open courses)

These courses are free, although you can pay to register for additional benefits.

Universities and other learning institutions, worldwide, provide courses relevant to all subjects, careers and interests. Completion of courses not only expands your understanding of a subject but also provides evidence of wider study which is required to produce high quality, competitive university applications.

The platform we recommend for accessing these courses is FutureLearn

KS5 BULLETIN

This weekly bulletin provides details of enrichment and wider participation opportunities as they become available. These include career specific opportunities, for example, Pathways to Medicine; Summer Schools; Internships and mentoring schemes, such as, Social Mobility Fund and K+.

WATCH AND LISTEN SCHEDULE

You will be emailed a timetable of television, radio and podcast broadcasts that are presented in subject categories. These help you to identify relevant programmes for your subjects and career interests which can be included in future applications as evidence of wider engagement.