King's Trust Brunch 2024

Southborough Students Deliver a Staff Brunch Fit For a King!

Southborough High School is committed to developing the talents of every single student within its care and goes to great lengths to deliver the appropriate courses to bring out the very best from all its’ students. For over twelve years, Zenith -our Inclusion department - has, on behalf of a small cohort of students, run the ‘Achieve’ programme from The King’s Trust, (formerly The Prince’s Trust) working towards their Personal Development and Employability (PDE) qualification.

This programme, which is regulated by Ofqual, is designed to give young learners the chance to work together to achieve goals relating to their education, training and future lives. By working towards a nationally recognised qualification, students are able to gain recognition for achievements which will stay with them on their Personal Learning Record (PLR).

A brunch fit for a king!

As part of their coursework, our students were given the task of delivering a brunch to staff during morning break last Thursday. Students were expected to source all ingredients, prepare and present all food and drink and then host and serve teachers before doing all the clearing up. And what a lovely spread they put on!

Busy staff couldn’t believe their luck when they found that the staff room had been turned into a ‘pop up’ café serving tea, coffee, fresh juice - and a wonderful selection of hot and cold food, including sausage and bacon rolls (both meat and veggie variety), scrambled eggs and smoke salmon & cream cheese bagels. If only morning breaks could be like this every day! The students ran a delivery service to those members of staff who were unable to get to the staffroom that morning. The students were extremely welcoming and courteous and staff were highly impressed with their efforts.

All About The King’s Trust

The then named Prince’s Trust was created back in 1979 by Prince Charles. Having completed his duty in the Royal Navy, His Majesty became dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK. The vision of The Prince’s Trust – rebranded The King’s Trust when His Majesty King Charles came to the throne – is that every young person should have the chance to succeed and its mission is to help young people transform their lives by developing the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn.

The course is fully supported by Headteacher Mr Smith and Head of Inclusion Mr Nicholas and has been admirably run by Senior Teaching Assistant Ms Pollicott since it was introduced to Southborough back in 2012.

Mrs Pollicott comments: “The school ensures that the needs of our boys and the course itself are fully supported. We have a designated classroom packed with computers for the boys to utilise and take advantage of every single opportunity given by the Trust to get involved with the wider world”.

Highlights include an invitation to take part in the King’s Coronation celebrations up in London, visiting big corporations to listen to inspirational talks, access to working on the Pygmy hippo enclosure at London Zoo , visiting a mock ‘court’ where students could become members of the jury… and the list is endless.

The units our students cover are carefully designed and chosen to equip them with a wide range of essential life skills, including:

World of Work –understanding payslips, taxes and work contracts

Managing Money – personal and household budgeting, understanding saving accounts

Career Planning –preparing & writing CVs and job applications, looking for job vacancies, interview techniques

Team Work  -positivity of working together

Digital Skills – online safety, fraud

Wellbeing – emotional and physical

Physical Activity – including a trip to Walton Firs

Healthy Eating – nutrition and cooking healthy meals

Personal Development –recognising personal strengths and setting targets

Year 10 students can start The King’s Trust ‘Achieve’ programme at Entry Level 3 and work through the Award, Certificate and then, in Sixth Form, progress to Diploma level.  Colleges recognise the qualifications and students have the added benefit of accessing support from the King’s Trust up to the age of 30 years old. We are incredibly proud of all our King’s Trust students’ achievements, especially Sixth Former Rory, who was recently nominated by the organisation to become one of their Ambassadors!! Praise indeed!

Going back to the staff brunch, it’s no surprise that our students passed their unit with flying colours!  Many thanks must go to Mrs Pollicott and Mrs Goldsmith for all the support they both gave the King’s Trust team in making the brunch such a resounding success!