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Employability

Stand out to future employers. Gain vital work experience, achieve your GCSE English and maths and develop personal skills.

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Maths & English

Personal Development

Work Experience & Industry Placements

GCSE English and Maths

English and maths are core skills, fundamental to your ongoing success in Further Education and future employment. Our English and maths department are committed to ensuring you leave Brooklands with the skills that will set you up for life.

Why do I need to study GCSE English and maths?

The Condition of Funding states that unless you have already achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths, you must continue to study these subjects. We understand that studying English and/or maths whilst at college can be challenging, but our specialist teachers will steer you on the right path and support you to continue developing your literacy and numeracy skills in preparation for your future career path. 

What does studying GCSE English and/or maths look like in college?

Work Experience and Industry Placements

All of our full-time students will have the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement which is related to their area of study. We’re also proud to offer extended industry placements as part of our T Level programmes.

T Level Industry Placements

A substantial 45-day industry placement part of this 2-year qualification equivalent to 3 A Levels.

Duration: 9+ weeks typically arranged 1 day a week over a few months or in a block to suit business needs.

Benefits to you: Real-world experience designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge employers demand.

Server works at Brooks restaurant

Work Experience

A short, structured placement for our 16-18 full-time students.

Duration: 1-2 weeks.

Benefits to you: Real-life experience with an employer to prepare you for your next steps.

Industry placements

For many students, industry placements may lead to an offer of an apprenticeship or permanent employment with the same employer once they complete their courses. The placements provide a fantastic opportunity for students to access work places in their chosen industries while they are still honing their craft and to make an impression on potential employers. It also provides a great addition to a CV and could give them the edge over other candidates in an increasingly competitive job market.

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Some of the benefits of a placement include an opportunity for students to:

  • Build and develop their technical skills, increasing their competence and ability to progress into skilled employment.
  • Develop their employability ‘soft skills’, such as communicating, adapting to change, teamwork and problem solving.
  • Gain a deeper knowledge of the running of a business and understanding how it responds to change as well as commercial principles generally.
  • Receive a fuller, more meaningful employer reference that will help in applying for future job roles.
  • Network and connect with other organisations linked to the industry placement that will help in identifying future job roles.
  • Experience personal growth: to develop self-reliance, step outside their comfort zone, build confidence and learn about themselves to identify their strengths and preferences for future career options.

To discuss your work experience or industry placement, our friendly Placements team is located in the Locke King building behind Reception.

Email: employers@brooklands.ac.uk

Personal Development

Personal Development is more than just a scheduled hour in the week; it is our holistic commitment to your personal, social and professional growth.

We believe that a student who feels secure, healthy and included is a student who achieves.

Our approach is strengths-based. Rather than focusing solely on risks, we build upon the inherent talents of our students to reduce vulnerability and bridge the gap of inequality. By combining universal prevention with targeted support, we ensure that every young person, regardless of their starting point, has the tools to thrive.

An evidence-informed design

Our curriculum is a dynamic, living programme informed by:

  • Expert partners: Collaborative delivery with specialist services, including the Innervate Careers Team
  • The PSHE Association: Aligning with national best practices for high-quality education
  • Surrey Healthy Schools: Utilising a framework that promotes physical and mental wellbeing
  • BTC student voice: Ensuring our topics are relevant to the real-world issues our students face today

The three pillars of our Personal Development curriculum

To ensure our students leave us as well-rounded, work-ready citizens, our curriculum is built around three core pillars:

Pillar one: Healthy living and understanding ‘the self’

To succeed in a high-pressure world, young people must first understand themselves. We focus on developing the emotional intelligence required to navigate life’s ups and downs.

  • Emotional literacy
  • Physical health
  • Substance use awareness
  • Resilience

Pillar two: Community and citizenship (your role in the world)

We want our students to be active participants in society, not just bystanders. This pillar fosters a sense of belonging and teaches the ethics of modern life.

  • College democracy
  • Safeguarding yourself and others
  • Responsible digital communication
  • Critical awareness of contemporary issues including gamblification and online safety
  • Making informed, responsible choices within the local and digital community

Pillar three: ambitious employment and securing your future

Our ultimate goal is to move students into meaningful, high-value careers or training. This pillar bridges the gap between the classroom and the workplace.

  • Creating CVs and cover letters
  • Knowing the Employer masterclass sessions
  • Direct encounters with industry professionals
  • Professional identity
  • Developing an ambitious mindset