Preparing young people to make wise decisions about their future beyond school – and ensuring they have the 
best chance of success in achieving their aspirations – has never been so crucial.
The Higher Education & Careers Department at Bishop’s Stortford College has introduced a number of initiatives as part of the support programme, including a CV and Covering Letter Competition to help Upper Fifth (Year 11) pupils to identify their skills and interests and support the work that they have been doing in their tutor groups.
Pupils were asked to apply for one of three ‘real’ jobs; a Summer School leader position, an Accountancy Assistant work experience placement and a Press and PR work experience placement.
These roles were selected as they are taken from real job adverts aimed at young people of this age group.
Pupils had to adapt their CV for the job they chose and write a covering letter to explain why they are interested in the role and why they should be selected.
Entries were submitted to tutors as there was of course no ‘real’ job at the end of the process on this occasion!
All of the submitted applications were judged by the College’s three dedicated HE & Careers specialists and the winning entries, those it was felt would have been called to an interview in a real application process, were as follows:
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
- Oliver Brown
- Roseanna Cawthray Stern
- Tom Dawkins
- India Hancock
- James Williams
SUMMER SCHOOL LEADER
- Melissa Craig
- Simeon English
- Katharine Hood
- Emily Lynch
- Victoria Snowden
DRAMA PUBLICITY ASSISTANT
- Georgia Crump
- Zuzanna Edwards
- Olivia Longthorpe
- Daniel Mahoney
- Sofia Weiss
“Having previously worked as the Graduate Recruitment and Training Manager for an international company, I know how important it is that young people have as many ‘true to life’ experiences as possible when it comes to equipping them for the world of work,” said Head of HE & Careers, Dr Gill Allcock. “The CV competition is just one part of an ongoing programme we have developed over the past few years. I was very pleased with the standard of entry and would congratulate all those who took part.”
The winners were presented with a certificate during assembly.