Year 10 students embark on real-world work experience with unwavering parental support

Preparing Students for the World of Work: A Community‑Led Initiative

As part of a new initiative at Laude San Pedro, Year 10 Mastering English Pathway students (our EAL programme) were offered a unique opportunity to explore the world of work as an integral part of their curriculum. This immersive experience was greatly enriched by the active involvement of the International Friends of Laude (IFL) parent group and focused on developing essential employability skills, including CV writing, letters of application, and interview preparation.

The strong commitment and collaboration of the parent community were key to transforming this project into a highly meaningful and authentic learning experience.

The Preparation Phase

The project began with students learning the key components of a job application. They were guided through the process of creating a clear and effective CV and writing a persuasive cover letter, with particular attention given to:

• clear and accurate communication
• correct spelling and punctuation
• professional layout and presentation

A defining feature of the project was the involvement of the IFL parent group. Parents from a wide range of professional backgrounds worked together to create real job advertisements from within their own businesses. These adverts were carefully adapted to be appropriate for entry‑level roles, giving students access to realistic and relevant opportunities and allowing them to engage with the recruitment process in an authentic way.

The Interview Day

The project culminated in an interview day, a morning filled with anticipation and excitement. Students arrived dressed in professional interview attire, ready to meet their interviewers. Members of the IFL parent group took on the role of employers, conducting one‑to‑one interviews with students who had applied for the advertised positions.

Each student had the opportunity to present themselves, discuss their skills, and respond to interview questions, closely mirroring a real job interview scenario. Interviewers then provided immediate, personalised feedback, focusing on:

• CV and letter presentation
  The overall appearance and structure of application documents, highlighting the importance of professionalism.

• Spelling and punctuation
  Detailed guidance on language accuracy and clarity to ensure effective communication.

• Body language
  Advice on non‑verbal communication, including eye contact, posture and handshake.

• Overall impression
  Practical tips to help students improve confidence, self‑presentation and interview performance.

The Power of Parental Involvement

The success of this initiative was driven by the strength and dedication of the parent community. Their involvement went far beyond participation; they brought real‑world expectations, professional insight and high standards directly into the learning process. For students, receiving feedback from professionals who are also parents within the school community made the experience particularly impactful.

One student reflected:

“It was really eye‑opening to get feedback from someone who actually hires people. It made me realise what employers are looking for and how I can improve.”

One IFL parent interviewer commented:

“My son is in Year 12 and has never had this type of experience. We should be doing this for all students, every year.”

We observed a clear increase in confidence, engagement and professionalism among the students. Applying their skills in a realistic context helped reinforce the importance of effective communication, preparation and self‑belief.

A Model for Future Learning

This initiative highlights the powerful impact that community involvement can have in education. The collaboration between Year 10 students, teaching staff and the IFL parent group successfully bridged the gap between learning and the world of work. By embedding real‑life experiences into the curriculum and drawing on the expertise of an engaged parent community, schools can better equip students with the skills they need for the future.

This project demonstrated how meaningful partnerships create dynamic and enriching learning environments—and showcased the true value of parental involvement in education.