Pool Academy Students Take Part in Mock Interview Day

Sitting across from a stranger whose job is to judge how you answer is daunting at any age. For a group of Year 10 students at Pool Academy, that was the entire point.

The school, part of Athena Learning Trust, ran a mock interview day that brought in 14 local employers and professionals to give students a taste of what the recruitment process actually feels like. Rather than reading about formal interviews in a careers lesson, the students sat through real ones.

The day was built around developing employability skills the students will lean on long after they leave Pool. Communication, presentation and confidence in a professional setting all got a workout, with employers on hand to offer feedback and encouragement as the interviews went on. The idea was to help students understand what workplaces expect of them and which skills matter most when they start looking for jobs of their own.

Part of a bigger careers picture

The interview day sits within Pool Academy’s wider careers programme. That programme also covers CV writing and application support, college visits, apprenticeship talks, work experience and employer-led events.

Students are supported to look at a range of post-16 options too, including further education, apprenticeships and training opportunities. The aim is to give them enough information to make their own informed choices about what comes next.

Nick Ward, Principal at Pool Academy, said the students did themselves proud.

“We were incredibly proud of how our students presented themselves throughout the day, speaking with confidence, clarity and maturity, and showing real ambition for their futures. We are very grateful to the employers who gave their time and support to help prepare students for life beyond school,” Nick said.