Ingredients

‘The CBIs ‘Getting young people work ready’ study (2019) set out three pillars to being work ready, based on research with employers. These three pillars are: 

• Character – an individual’s traits and strengths
• Knowledge – the best and most powerful knowledge
  within subject disciplines
• Skills – the application of knowledge and character in real world scenarios through teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and communication

Preparation

As part of the Mayfield journey, we provide plenty of opportunities to develop these skills. In Years 7 and 8, we run a themed cross-curricular day each term, during which girls are taken off timetable to explore topics in greater depth, with recent examples including Earth Day, Moon Camp, Code Breaking, and the Cookie Project.

Method

‘The Cookie Project is based on the BBC’s The Apprentice, with the girls working in teams to produce cookies, design packaging, come up with a marketing plan, and then deliver a presentation and a short advert promoting their product. The girls have great fun and valuable soft skills – communication, listening, empathy, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, resilience – are all enhanced as they tackle the challenges of the day. It is these soft skills that will help them develop into confident, reflective, empathetic and successful world citizens.’