Students at Kenilworth School and Westwood Academy are promised an education beyond exam results, according to Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT). 

The trust - which encompasses both schools - says its focus on careers and the world beyond school is "embedded throughout the curriculum" to make sure youngsters are prepared for the wider world. 

CEO Hayden Abbott said he was "incredibly proud" of the trust's focus beyond grades, and says it fits with the focus on "aspiring to excellence through quality, ambition and independence". 

"We have worked really hard to develop a focus on careers that will benefit the children at both Kenilworth School and Westwood Academy," he told Nub News. 

"We want to make sure all aspirations are catered for and support our students whether they want to progress onto university, an apprenticeship or study technical or vocational qualifications.

"And most of all, it is important that we recognise the diversity of our students and ensure our careers programme is bespoke and tailored to the differentiated needs." 

Careers focus is 'embedded throughout the curriculum' at Westwood Academy and Kenilworth School (image by KMAT)

The trust now has a strong careers team who work collaboratively across both schools. 

The team's focus is to ensure students across the age groups are given whatever guidance they need to help make those all-important choices towards their chosen career paths. 

"It is also about broadening their outlook, and making sure young people know what options are available to them," Mr Abbott added. 

"It may be that we are signposting them to opportunities outside the trust or helping them achieve their goals using what the two schools can offer. 

"But most importantly, all students will be given the chance to develop essential employability and independent learning skills to progress successfully beyond school into the world of work.

"As we grow, and take in more schools, the careers offer will only expand further." 

Students at KMAT schools will be given dedicated careers support through their time at school (image via KMAT)

As well as one-to-one careers guidance, the trust also run busy and popular careers fairs, workshops, industry visits and work experience.

Speakers from local businesses and training providers are invited into the school to talk to students and former pupils are particularly welcome - not only are they inspirational, but they give students the self-confidence to see how they too can succeed.

"This shows the clear benefit of the trust to the education of local young people," Mr Abbott explained. 

"That we can have a dedicated team across both schools, to benefit as many young people as possible, makes a huge difference. 

"Post sixteen students are also able to choose options from both Westwood and Kenilworth - and travel between the two via the shuttle service - thus broadening the choices available to them. 

"And we can draw on the experiences of a growing network of alumni across both schools, connecting young people to businesses across Coventry and South Warwickshire, therefore maximising the range of career options we can expose them to." 

Careers lead Sally Linsell added: "I believe that every young person should emerge from school with the skills and knowledge to successfully navigate their future progression through learning and work.

"The coming decade will see substantial economic and technological change affecting the skills needs of employers and the KMAT strategy to invest in careers guidance, means that all the students will have access to targeted guidance from a skilled team of qualified careers guidance professionals. 

"The collaboration across the academy schools, will mean a rich and varied careers education programme, offering the students access to even more employer opportunities, and the best possible chance to develop employability skills and make their aspirations a reality." 

Careers lead Sally Linsell says she wants all children to leave school with the skills needs of employers (image via KMAT)

The trust realises that an important part of careers education and guidance is to prepare students for their next stage of life and is also working to expand its 'life skills' offering. 

Having surveyed the students to find out what was missing from their education, the trust has started introducing lessons on personal finances, job applications and budgeting through its PSHE classes, which Mr Abbott said has been incredibly constructive. 

"The life skills classes have been introduced at the request of the students, which is something we are really proud of," he said. 

"And really this is all about making sure they leave school as well prepared for the real world as possible. 

"We want to make sure they have all the tools possible to make the right choices in life for themselves, and that runs right across our focus on careers and a life beyond education." 

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