PUPILS from a Mickleover school went behind the scenes at a local supermarket to check out career options and learn more about the world of work.
A group of students from Murray Park School learned all about enterprise, employability skills, money management and teamwork during a tour of Tesco, in Kipling Drive.
The pupils are all taught in The Bridge, the school’s alternative setting for pupils with additional needs, such as anxiety, behavioural issues or learning difficulties.
Without the innovative unit, some of the students would have failed to attend, while others would simply not have fulfilled their potential.
The visit was arranged through the Princes Trust Achieve Programme which provides opportunities for young people to try new skills.
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Head of alternate provision Theresa Lucas said: “Luckily the visit took place before the coronavirus pandemic, so pupils were able to see the variety of careers available in retail, even behind the scenes.
“They particularly enjoyed having a go on the check-out and it was interesting to see their confidence grow during the visit, which will undoubtedly help them when they start going for interviews when they leave school.
“We had some lovely feedback from the Tesco staff who said our students were a credit to the school which made them very proud.”
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The visit was all part of a drive at the school to improve careers provision by linking lessons to the workplace and giving pupils the opportunity to learn from employers about professions and the skills that are valued in society.
Head teacher Nicola Caley added: “We have recently received national recognition for our careers provision and this visit was just a small part of the work we do in school to show pupils that the purpose of their education is not just to pass exams but to learn skills which will help them throughout life.
“We work hard to ensure that every Murray Park pupil is ambitious and we have lots of interventions which are designed to raise aspirations amongst our students.
“Introducing them to the world of work and the different and exciting opportunities that are available to them, especially at a multi-million pound organisation such as Tesco, is all part of this work.”
ENDS
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