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. These days doing your own thing as a business is as much as an option as working for someone else or running it alongside other work or studying.
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?
In both the Canterbury and Leybourne schools there is a formal programme structured around the school timetables. In the Staplehurst school, the team organises an internal programme throughout the academic year of in school speakers and activities across a range of employers, charities, professional bodies and higher education providers.
Work Experience Placements
One week internal work experience placement in our onsite Bulunga Café for all Leybourne pupils. From September 2026 Canterbury pupils will attend the Leybourne school one day a week on a Thursday for work experience in the Bulunga Café.
One week external work experience placement with an employer for all 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 2025/6, the dates are:
The Canterbury School KS3 and Year 10 currently visit Maya’s Community Support Centre warehouse and Maya’s Café and charity shop in Herne Bay High Street on a Thursday Morning each week. From September 2026 Canterbury will change to the same basis as the Leybourne School and have work experience three times in the academic year.
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 have attended local primary schools for a Christmas jumper day to face paint Year 2 and a Michael Jackson Thriller performance with Year 3. Another group made Christmas craft items which were then sold at the Margate Teenage Festival Market in support of a local charity.
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.