Students at St Paul’s Way Trust School recently took part in The Switch mock interview programme, providing Year 11 students with a valuable opportunity to develop the skills and confidence needed for their next steps.

As part of the programme, each student took part in a one to one virtual interview with a business professional that has real world experience of interviewing, being interviewed, or both. This gave students the opportunity to experience a realistic interview setting and practise communicating their strengths, experiences and aspirations with professionals from the world of work.

Ahead of the event, students received an Interview Practice booklet to help them prepare. This included step by step guidance on using the CV Creator tool to develop their own CV before the interview. Following their interview, students received verbal feedback and practical tips from their interviewer, as well as written feedback to support reflection and continued improvement.

Opportunities such as this are an important part of the education provided across our trust. While students may be preparing for their next steps after Year 11, the skills they develop through experiences like these will extend far beyond their first interview.

The ability to communicate confidently, present themselves effectively, respond to questions, listen carefully and reflect on feedback are core skills that students can carry with them throughout their lifetime.

In a competitive world, strong interview skills can help young people take their first steps towards further education, training and employment with greater confidence. The experience and insight shared by The Switch professionals provided students with practical knowledge and valuable preparation for the real world.

The programme reflects our mission of providing transformational education for all, ensuring every student has opportunities to build knowledge, character and confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed throughout their lives.