For teachers: Getting prepared - 4 things to put in place in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)
Always be prepared. Here's how.
Key Stage 3 can seem extremely early to start considering life after school. But developing students’ skills and interests now will help them have a better understanding of the path they wish to follow in the future. Here are 4 things to put in place at Key Stage 3:
1. Develop interests and skills
Key Stage 3 is the perfect time for students to start considering what they are good at and what they enjoy. Students who have a better idea of themselves now will be able to make more informed decisions about their future further down the line.
Get pupils to create a mindmap of favourite subjects and hobbies. Then discuss how they could possibly pursue these interests further. For example, a pupil who likes animals could volunteer for a day at an animal shelter.
2. Career possibilities
At this stage it is unnecessary for pupils to have a clear cut plan for their future. But introducing them to a wide range of possible careers while they are in Key Stage 3 will encourage them to start considering their career path.
Discuss different sectors, industries and working environments with pupils.
Perhaps ask older students to come and talk to the KS3 pupils about their current studies and their plans for the future. This will enable KS3 pupils to see how their current education could lead to a career path.
3. Subject choices
Towards the end of Key Stage 3, students will be required to choose the subjects they wish to take for GCSEs. A student’s subject choices at GCSE will have an impact on the courses they are able to study in Sixth Form, and therefore will affect the path they take after school. Taking a range of GCSE subjects - including a mixture of sciences, humanities, languages and arts - allows students to keep Sixth Form choices open.
4. Reading
Reading is of course useful for all ages. At Key Stage 3, reading outside of school will allow students to further explore their interests.
Finding reading material which appeals to their interests at this early stage is key. For pupils interested in History, perhaps direct them towards historical fiction; the more scientifically-minded students could look at sci-fi or dystopian future novels.
Key Stage 3 is also a great time to introduce pupils to current affairs. Keeping students up to date with the news will help them to understand how their studies relate to the world around them.