Some of our Year 12 students have recently had the privilege of taking part in the Envision Programme, a six-month initiative designed to develop employability and leadership skills through real-world projects. The programme began with an introductory launch event, where students met peers from other schools also participating in the initiative. They were also introduced to their linked employer, Atkins Réalis, professionals from the organisation acted as mentors to support our students throughout the duration of the programme. During this initial session, students learned about the aims of Envision and the competitive project element that would culminate in a final presentation event.
Over the following six months, students worked closely with their mentors and the Envision Programme Coordinator to design and deliver a meaningful project. Our students developed a character education lesson for our Year 7 cohort, with a strong focus on team-building skills. As part of the session, Year 7 pupils were set a challenge to work collaboratively to build the tallest and strongest tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows. The activity proved to be an engaging and valuable learning experience for both year groups.
The programme also included several visits to the mentors’ offices, providing students with valuable exposure to a professional workplace environment and further enhancing their understanding of the world of work. At the programme’s final competition event, students reconvened with other participating teams to present their projects to a panel of judges and fellow competitors. The event was vibrant, insightful, and a true celebration of students’ creativity, teamwork, and personal development.
Overall, the Envision Programme has been an extraordinary experience for our students, equipping them with key skills that will support their future aspirations and significantly enhance their employability. We extend our sincere thanks to the Envision team and the professional mentors at Atkins Realis for providing our students with such an inspiring opportunity.
More about Envision here: https://envision.org.uk/
As part of Character and exploring the big question 'Where am I going next?' pupils are allowed to meaningfully engage with employers and apprenticeship providers so they can make well-informed decisions about their futures.
For more information and guidance about careers education at Ark St Alban's, you can email careers@arkstalbans.org
