EDUC ATION
More Holidays - creative enterprise and upskilling our sixth formers A
Faith Hagerty, Head of More House School in Knightsbridge, discusses creative enterprise and the importance of upskilling our students with employability skills as well as a set of results.
s employers, while we seek welleducated applicants when recruiting, what matters most is a candidate’s interpersonal skills, their work ethic, their level of commitment and ability to be organised. The last two years have also taught us that being adaptable and able to create opportunity out of change are probably two of the most important qualities of all. These employability skills are unlikely to be learnt in a GCSE or A Level, so it is vital that we facilitate other ways for students to become more employable. At More House, our sixth formers take on key positions in the running of our activity weeks programme entitled More Holidays. From social media management and creative input, to administration and finance, our students are the driving force behind the programme, gaining first hand experience of shaping an enterprise and generating business. The most recent More Summer programme in July took on an Around the World theme, focusing on creating a warm and welcoming space where children can learn and be creative, as well as forming new friendships. Our
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student leaders promote and model the inclusive ethos and enjoy working with the children on the course they have planned and designed. Izzy, one of our Year 12s who took on the role of Creative Curriculum Manager reported; “I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity to help run an actual small business and I loved working with the children and seeing them grow in confidence during the course. I wouldn’t have gained this kind of experience working in a shop!”. Katrina, Course Administrator, also spoke of the value of understanding specific aspects of business in real terms. “Even though I am taking Business Studies for A Level, I now properly understand what balancing income against expenditure really means and just how important effective marketing is. I learn these things in lessons all the time, but being part of the More Holidays enterprise has taught me so much”. As they move into Year 13, Katrina and Izzy will hand over the baton to the new rising sixth formers who will take over the running of the programme for More Easter 2023. morehouse.org.uk