ACS Hillingdon is preparing students for the world of work.
ACS Hillingdon has been authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Career-related Programme (CP), an alternative education pathway for learners aged 16-19. It blends academic and industry-based courses to help students prepare for future careers in related areas.
Lisa Blair, Upper School Principal at Hillingdon explains "Supporting the thriving drama and arts offering at ACS Hillingdon, as part of the CP, students will be able to engage in study focussing on theatre and/or film. Students who are passionate about the stage will have an unmissable opportunity to gain qualifications from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the oldest drama school in the UK, and will develop a wide range of performance skills. In addition or as an alternative to the LAMDA qualifications, students have the option to take an a level 3 qualification in theatre, focusing on acting or directing.
ACS Hillingdon will also introduce a Level 3 photography qualification as a CP option enhancing the current film studies offering. As an additional opportunity, ACS Hillingdon has established a unique partnership with Creative Media Skills Group (CMS), a training partner based at Pinewood Studios. Recently students attended a one-week course where they completed skills-focussed work with industry experts. Students currently studying Greek theatre as part of the theatre course worked on mask-making with a prop-maker or costume designer whose previous work included Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Through the CP, students develop skills that are genuinely valued by employers and gain real-life work experience."
While the LAMDA qualifications are designed to support the skills of students with performance-based university courses in mind, such as theatre or performing arts, the skills gained are also valuable for students wishing to pursue other careers in the public arena. Students gain experience in public speaking, providing an important self-confidence boost for future high pressure moments, such as job interviews, negotiations or debate.
Martin Hall, Head of School, ACS Hillingdon, comments: “We’re extremely excited to be able to offer the CP as another educational pathway for our students. We must recognise there is no 'one size fits all' approach that will prepare for their lives after school. The CP combines academic and practical learning to set students up for whatever pathway suits them best - whether that be higher education, pursuing an apprenticeship, or entering the world of work. ACS Doha is now a CP Candidate School, and will welcome its first new CP cohort in 2021, focusing on entrepreneurship.
Greek tragedy masks at Pinewood