News & Headteacher Blogs

Year 13 students who are looking for apprenticeships after they take their A Level and BTEC exams next summer, have been building on previous in-school careers workshops focussed on writing CVs and interview skills at the recent PDP (Personal Development Programme) day.

Newbury based company Amberjack, experts in future talent and volume recruitment outsourcing, devised a mock assessment centre where students worked together in teams, undertaking face-to-face interviews and then critiquing each other’s performance.

Abingdon based PMC got students involved in the increasingly popular recruitment method of video interviewing. Students were asked how best to prepare themselves from being dressed correctly to responding to interview questions within a set time frame. They each then completed a video interview and were given feedback.

Dawn Peppiatt, Student Manager at The Downs School said: “It was a fantastic day. Our students really gained an insight into the opportunities available to them after they leave The Downs School. It is important for us to make sure they are fully prepared, no matter whether they wish to go to university, start an apprenticeship or enter the world of work.”

PDP is part of the core learning curriculum, and is designed to give impetus to enquiring minds and support students embarking in future challenges in education and training.