Students from Acklam Grange, Middlesbrough took part in a five-week Words for Work programme in partnership with Middlesbrough FC Foundation.
Through the Words for Work Key Stage 3 programme, students meet volunteers from a local business or organisation and learn about job roles and the skills needed at work to communicate professionally and effectively. The programme began at Acklam Grange School in April 2022 and focused on questioning techniques and how to use formal language in a work-context.
Staff at Middlesbrough FC Foundation visited the school to take part in student interviews, answering a range of questions put to them by the students about their role and what their typical work day looks like.
“The students gained a lot from the interviews, particularly as some find it very difficult to communicate in public, let alone with strangers.”
Teacher at Acklam Grange
The students spent the following weeks working on various activities to develop and strengthen their communication skills. This included role plays and email writing to highlight the importance of and differences in workplace communication.
The Middlesbrough FC Foundation staff returned to the school at the end of the programme to watch the student presentations and give valuable feedback to them on the skills they demonstrated and how they could improve their performance further. The students displayed amazing speaking and listening skills during the presentation sessions and were given plenty of practical advice from the business volunteers to use in the future.
“Students have thoroughly enjoyed working on the Words for Work project with the National Literacy Trust. Not only has it given them the opportunity to consider the skills necessary for life after school, they have also been able to develop their own personal literacy and communication skills in a safe environment.”
Teacher at Acklam Grange
Find out more
If you’re a teacher and you believe your students would benefit from our Words for Work programme please get in touch! Email us on wfw@literacytrust.org.uk