What is Beyond the Classroom?
Beyond the Classroom is a programme through which TRS ensures that pupils take part in events and activities outside normal lessons, helping them grow as individuals and explore a wide range of career options and opportunities. While it includes work experience, the programme goes far beyond this, as we recognise that pupils may wish to pursue many different pathways in the future.
A key element of the Beyond the Classroom programme is developing pupils’ self-confidence and resilience, enabling them to believe that their next steps after TRS are both achievable and aligned with their aspirations. To support this, it is essential that pupils gain as much exposure as possible to further education and the world of work. TRS has therefore designed a programme that offers meaningful encounters across a variety of future options, alongside support for pupils’ emotional and mental well-being.
What does Beyond the Classroom include?
Work Experience Placements
One week internal work experience placement in our onsite Bulunga Café for all Leybourne pupils.
Two days external work experience placement at Communigrow Farm, East Malling for Year 10 Leybourne pupils during the summer term.
One week external work experience placement with an employer for Leybourne Year 10 pupils. This happens three times during the academic year to ensure that all Year 10 pupils have the opportunity to take part. In 2025, the dates are:
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Leybourne Year 10 Work Experience Dates: |
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Term 2 – 8th - 12th December 2025 |
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Term 3 – 23rd - 27th March 2026 |
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Term 6 – 22nd - 26th June 2026 |
Years 9 and 10 Canterbury pupils attend an external work experience placement at Maya's Community Support Centre in Herne Bay every Thursday for a five week period. This runs throughout the school year and covers both the High Street Café and shop plus the Free Warehouse on the outskirts of the town.
In both the Leybourne and Canterbury Schools, workplace visits take place one day per term for Years 7 to 9.
External Providers
Visits to College to experience and understand College life.
Visits to Universities to understand higher education.
Visits to local careers fairs.
Visits to events in support of the curriculum which may also include careers information.
Participation in timetable activities with external providers such as employers, charities, FE colleges, universities, training & apprenticeship organisations, Department of Employment and business federations.
Mock interviews with external employers and professionals in preparation for college/sixth form/apprenticeship interviews for Year 11
Off Timetable Activities
Sessions supporting applications to college and sixth form via Kent Choices for Years 10 & 11.
Timetabled sessions within PSHE where Year 11 explore the topic of ‘transitions’ to help them identify any potential differences they may face from the school environment and provide them with guidance on how to navigate them.
Employer Based Programme
During Terms 1, 2, 3 & 4 local employers come in to school one day a week during period 5 and offer sessions around their businesses which all pupils take part in. Many of the employers have their own business that they have started from scratch and they will take pupils on their journey; how they started, what worked and what didn’t, what they learnt and useful tips. Alongside this they will teach pupils how to create or develop a marketable product so as to put theory into practice.
To add an element of real life to this employer based activity, pupils are taken out into the community to promote or sell their product. For example, a group who set up a Face Painting business attended a local primary school on their Christmas jumper day to face paint Year 2 and a Year 11 group made craft items which were then sold at the Margate Teenage Festival Market in support of a local charity.
The Leybourne School runs a business challenge where the different groups present their product portfolio and marketing strategy to a panel of business professionals, with the winner group receiving a prize and trophy.
Beyond the Classroom is managed by our Work Experience Co-Ordinator Nikki Wilson and we welcome any contact from business who would like to take part. Nikki’s email address is n.wilson@trs.kent.sch.uk and her direct contact number 08907 717100.