Welcome to Knowledge and Skills a dynamic partnership with lots of experience in designing and delivering employability skills, careers education and work experience. Our shop includes resources in these categories:
Careers education for young adults: with modern magazine style images.
Careers education for 11-14+ learners: these are the ones with the dogs!
Work experience support: projects and guides for self-directed learning.
Level 1 maths: popular topics featuring our elephant friends!
Welcome to Knowledge and Skills a dynamic partnership with lots of experience in designing and delivering employability skills, careers education and work experience. Our shop includes resources in these categories:
Careers education for young adults: with modern magazine style images.
Careers education for 11-14+ learners: these are the ones with the dogs!
Work experience support: projects and guides for self-directed learning.
Level 1 maths: popular topics featuring our elephant friends!
Four individual A4 workbooks for learners to complete on their own, or with the support of a teacher or tutor. Each topic also comes with a teacher/tutor PowerPoint to introduce the topic and generate discussion. Each workbook is 18-22 pages of design-rich content with engaging activities and opportunities for thought provoking reflection. Target age 15+. The whole set makes up a comprehensive programme to help learners who will be taking exams or formal assessment and want to maximise their chances. It will be particularly valuable to students taking linear A Levels. The purpose of this programme is to help learners to develop embed effective study and revision habits at the start of the academic year and build these into a routine – avoiding the last-minute panic and stress. An overview of each topic is:
• “Make your dreams happen” helps students to focus on how to visualise their goals and get their mindset right to achieve their goals. This might not be obvious to many students as a ‘study skill’ but their state of mind and sense of purpose are crucial to how they approach their studies, revision and exams – includes tips and techniques to help stay positive!
• “Use your time well” asks students to consider their actual level of commitment to their studies, how they are using their time and where they are losing it along the way. This workbook helps students to analyse and improve their time management with a focus on how to maximise the value of their independent study time. They will consider the main ‘blockers’ that are impacting on their time and how to deal with them.
• “Plan your revision” asks students “How do you study and revise for exams?” Many students are unaware of what study and revision skills they have and which they need to work on to deal with exams in a range of subjects. Getting a better understanding will help them to be more effective and ultimately to improve their chances of exam success. Includes a range of activities, tips and techniques for summarising and revision.
• “Feel confident with exams” introduces students to the idea of self-confidence and self-worth in relation to their exam success. This innovative resource will help students to see their ability to study and pass exams as part of their self-belief and confidence for life. They will consider what makes them give up and how a lack of confidence could undermine their chances. This resource also includes useful strategies for exam preparation and dealing with stress and panic.
Help your learners to get ahead of the exam season and maximise their chances.
Attractively produced PowerPoint presentations to introduce learners to a range of strategies and tools for effective exam preparation. These may be used as stand-alone presentations, or with accompanying workbooks (available separately). They will provide a good basis for assemblies introducing exam preparation and study skills. If you teach an exam year, or learners embarking on linear A Levels this is of particular interest to you. It can also benefit students in a wide range of settings who need to work towards a specific goal. The resource includes four PowerPoints which can be adapted for your own situation:
‘Make Your Dreams Happen’ includes how to develop realistic goals, how to develop a positive mindset and the value of personal resilience and learning from experience.
‘Use Your Time Well’ encourages learners to identify where their time goes, recognise their own blockers to effective study and how to deal with them. Also included is the power of good sleep habits to maximise learning potential.
‘Plan Your Revision’ gives learners a wide range of strategies to use from the start of an academic year to embed good study and revision habits and make these as part of a routine. This will help them to avoid last minute panic and trying to capture a year’s learning or more at the last minute.
‘Feel Confident With Exams’ helps learners to recognise situations where they are likely to feel stress and plan to deal with these – focusing on exam preparation.
All presentations are attractively produced with strong images and engaging quotes for impact.
An attractive, brand new, high quality resource designed to help prepare learners for the exam period. If you teach an exam year, or learners embarking on linear A Levels or GCSEs this is of particular interest to you. It can also benefit students in a wide range of settings who need to work towards a specific goal.
‘Feel Confident With Exams’ is a workbook that focuses on developing confidence by planning to deal with stress! Confidence is about dealing with set backs and developing personal resilience and a lack of these abilities can leave learners at risk of poor performance which does not reflect their ability. In this workbook learners will explore their own ideas about self-confidence, dealing with stress and preparing for exams, and they will try out some strategies for dealing with exam nerves before they happen. Activities include recognising your stress triggers, planning to deal with stress, exam preparation, stopping negative thoughts, and the value of a healthy lifestyle to beat stress.
The workbook is 18 x A4 pages in PDF format, with engaging and colourful text and activities (can be copied within one institution). It is self-contained and can be used by learners on their own or as part of a tutorial or study group. It includes clear learning aims, space for reflection and opportunities for discussion as well as self-directed learning. All activities can be completed in the book. It can be used alone or with an accompanying presentation, available separately. Feel Confident With Exams is one of a set of four workbooks and presentations that make up the Plan for Success suite of exam preparation. This workbook will allow you to maximise the value of tutor time or as part of a wider programme of study skills, exam preparation or PSHE.
An attractive, brand new, high quality resource designed to help prepare learners for the exam period. If you teach an exam year, or learners embarking on linear A Levels this is of particular interest to you. It can also benefit students in a wide range of settings who need to work towards a specific goal.
‘Plan Your Revision’ asks learners to define how they revise for exams and how they might develop these skills effectively in the future. Your learners probably think revision is the last stage of a study programme before exams– this resource will challenge that notion by encouraging them to build in small scale revision activities every week from the start of an academic year and embed good revision habits as part of a continuous study plan. Maintaining good study and revision habits as early as possible will help to avoid last minute panic. Activities include considering a range of study techniques (e.g. research, summarising, memorising), effective reading, using memory techniques and study aids, revision timetables, and evaluating which are the most useful for you.
The workbook is 22 x A4 pages in PDF format, with engaging and colourful text and activities (can be copied within one institution). It is self-contained and can be used by learners on their own or as part of a tutorial or study group. It includes clear learning aims, space for reflection and opportunities for discussion as well as self-directed learning. All activities can be completed in the book. It can be used alone or with an accompanying presentation, available separately. Plan Your Revision is one of a set of four workbooks and presentations that make up the Plan for Success suite of exam preparation. This workbook will allow you to maximise the value of tutor time or as part of a wider programme of study skills, exam preparation or PSHE.
An attractive, brand new, high quality resource designed to help prepare learners for the exam period. If you teach an exam year, or learners embarking on linear A Levels this is of particular interest to you. It can also benefit students in a wide range of settings who need to work towards a specific goal.
‘Use Your Time Well’ is a resource that asks learners to think about their current level of commitment, and to look realistically at where their time goes and where it is lost! To achieve success, learners need to put in time and effort but the crucial factor is how effectively they are using their study time now. Help your learners to avoid losing a lot of unproductive time and then wondering why they are not getting the results they want. This workbook will introduce them to tips and techniques for effective time management. Activities include focusing your thoughts, analysing where your time goes, identifying your blockers and how to deal with them, embedding new effective habits, sleep hygiene.
The key value of this resource is to start working with learners as early as possible to build their skills until these become part of a well-planned study routine and avoid last minute panic and stress in the exam period. By starting early, learners can decide which tools are useful to them and embed these into their study plans right from the start of the year.
The workbook is 18 x A4 pages in PDF format, with engaging and colourful text and activities (can be copied within one institution). It is self-contained and can be used by learners on their own or as part of a tutorial or study group. It includes clear learning aims, space for reflection and opportunities for discussion as well as self-directed learning. All activities can be completed in the book. It can be used alone or with an accompanying presentation, available separately. Use Your Time Well is one of a set of four workbooks and presentations that make up the Plan for Success suite of exam preparation. This workbook will allow you to maximise the value of tutor time or as part of a wider programme of study skills, exam preparation or PSHE.
An attractive, brand new, high quality resource designed to help prepare learners for the exam period. If you teach an exam year, or learners embarking on linear A Levels this is of particular interest to you. It can also benefit students in a wide range of settings who need to work towards a specific goal.
‘Make your dreams happen’ is an attractive workbook which encourages learners to identify personal goals and aim high in the exam period. It develops skills for personal resilience and staying on track, and tips and includes techniques they can try out on their own to develop a positive mindset. Activities include reflecting on your current mindset, learning from experience, growth vs. fixed mindset, effective thinking and creating realistic goals.
The key value of this resource is to start working with learners as early as possible to build their skills until these become part of a well-planned study routine and avoid last minute panic and stress in the exam period. By starting early, learners can decide which tools are useful to them and embed these into their study plans right from the start of the year.
The workbook is 18 x A4 pages in PDF format, with engaging and colourful text and activities (can be copied within one institution). It is self-contained and can be used by learners on their own or as part of a tutorial or study group. It includes clear learning aims, space for reflection and opportunities for discussion as well as self-directed learning. All activities can be completed in the book. It can be used alone or with an accompanying presentation, available separately. Make Your Dreams Happen is one of a set of four workbooks and presentations that make up the Plan for Success suite of exam preparation. This workbook will allow you to maximise the value of tutor time or as part of a wider programme of study skills, exam preparation or PSHE.
This topic covers employability skills as defined by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and employers: communication and literacy, teamwork, problem solving, customer awareness, numeracy and ICT. It includes an attractive presentation to help structure your lesson, instructions and activiy sheets. Students will explore how they can develop and evidence their own employability skills even if they have little or no work experience, and discuss why employers value these skills. This resource includes activities to help students to take stock of their existing skills and plan to develop future skills through all their activities including academic learning, hobbies and social time. They will also learn to understand the difference between skills and tasks and explore the concept of transferable skills. This topic will help students who are new to job applications or CVs to think about how to describe their skills and aptitudes to a potential employer.
Seven individual A4 student workbooks for independent learning. The set makes up a comprehensive programme explaining the key employability skills valued by employers and how to develop better job seeking skills. Each well designed and colourful workbook can be used stand alone or in any order. Every workbook has clear learning aims, space for recording answers and a reflective log. This set will enhance any broad programme of employability skills or general secondary careers education. When used as a set we recommend starting with "Understanding Employability Skills" to underpin other topics.
“Health and Safety” is a 20 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of getting employment and working life. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. In this module, students will learn about hazards and risks in the workplace, safety signs and hazardous substance control. They will consider the specific risks associated with different professions. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It would be particularly useful as part of work experience preparation. This workbook can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Applications, Interviews” is a 20 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of getting a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills
This module introduces some commonly accepted good practice in filling in application forms, on-line applications and interview preparation. The Module contains useful information and exercises on how to avoid pitfalls in applying for jobs and preparing for an interview, including common interview questions, personal presentation and learning how to communicate professionally. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It would be particularly useful as part of work experience preparation. This workbook can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Self-management and teamwork” is a 22 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of how to get a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills
This module introduces two separate and vitally important aspects of being successful at work – taking responsibility for yourself, and teamwork. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. This module includes definitions and exercises relating to understanding what self-management is and how to evaluate your own self-management skills. Students will go on to look at effective goal planning and practice using templates for goal planning. The second half of the module covers the features of effective teamwork and handling conflict in teams. There is an optional extra activity looking at team roles in more detail. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Letters & CVs” is a 20 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of how to get a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills
This module introduces the importance of a good letter of introduction and CV to your job search. Students will look at the features of a good and bad letter, and tips for good letter writing in print or e mail. They will then consider the features of a good and bad CV. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Customer awareness & Creativity” is an 18 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of how to get a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills
This module introduces the basic concepts of customer awareness that apply in any organisation. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. Students will consider the difference between internal and external customers and the impact of good and bad service to any organisation. The second part of the module covers the relationship between creativity and problem solving and why these are valuable skills in the workplace. Students will go on to try out two methods and templates for problem solving. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Communication” is a 22 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of how to get a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills
This module introduces students to some vital communication skills and how they impact on our everyday interaction with other people, or in a work setting: listening speaking, reading, writing and non-verbal communication. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning. This module includes engaging activities on good and bad listening and speaking habits, the impact of non-verbal communication and the importance of good written communication in any job search.
This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
“Understanding Employability Skills” is a 20 page A4 workbook for students to complete on their own, working independently, with the support of a teacher or tutor. It is one of a series of modules that make up the My Work programme, aimed at young people who want to learn about how to improve their knowledge of how to get a job. It has been written by a team with many years of experience in designing and delivering employability skills resources. The design is well presented and colourful, and includes learning aims, a range of information and exercises, space for recording answers and a reflective log at the end to review learning.
This module introduces the main employability skills valued by employers as defined by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Students will go on to explore the difference between skills and tasks and consider the value of transferable skills. They will then go on to look at motivation at work and what motivates them personally. There is an optional extension activity exploring two theories about what motivates us at work in more detail, and how this impacts on our happiness and success. This workbook will be of value to any programme that includes employability, work readiness and general careers education. It can be used for whole lessons or as part of a tutorial or enrichment session. NB: The workbook is presented in PDF Format.
Welcome to the Peer Mentoring Programme from Knowledge and Skills.
This guide will help you to take the first steps in planning and implementing a peer mentoring programme in your school or college. This programme support is given in four parts:
• An 87-page PowerPoint presentation structured into 10 training sessions covering essential information for trainee mentors
• A 58-page training and information guide for teachers/tutors to help deliver the training
• A set of optional forms and templates to record key information during the mentoring process such as draft agreements and review sheets
• A 30-page Peer Mentor’s reflective journal or diary for trainee mentors to record their impressions, strengths and areas of development.
This pack is delivered in simple format (Word and PowerPoint) to allow you to customise or adapt it to your own situation. It is intended as a practical ‘first steps’ guide to setting up a peer mentoring programme in a school or college if you intend to do so. Students who go on to be peer mentors will be helping others, developing valuable skills and generating evidence to add to a CV or personal statement. This pack does not cover the research background or justification for peer mentoring, it is assumed that if have decided to embark on a peer mentoring programme you may be looking for information on what steps to take, and how to avoid pitfalls. You do not need any previous experience of organising mentoring schemes in order to use this guide. The target group for this programme and training is students aged 15+ who will be acting as peer mentors for students of their own age or one or two years younger. It is not intended for primary schools, the language and exercises in the training sessions are aimed at older students, although the general principles apply. The guide and training will also provide evidence to support many qualifications at Level 1 in this area.
“Artificial Intelligence” is a classroom topic about how skills for work are changing in a world of rapidly expanding technology. We all use multiple devices to manage our social lives and entertain ourselves, but our homes and workplaces are also going to see rapid change over the next few years. In this topic students will debate what intelligence and artificial intelligence mean to them, what skills may or may not be replaced by A.I. devices and how this could impact on the future of work.
This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.
“Pay your way” is a classroom topic that introduces students to basic information about pay and payslips, tax and work related benefits. This will help students who have never worked to understand what information they will be given about pay when they go to work and how to interpret what contributions and deductions will appear and why.
This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.
“Can you communicate well” is a self-contained classroom topic about two vital aspects of communication: speaking and listening. There are 2 parts to communication: What we send ... and what is received (seen or heard). It is vital that students understand that developing effective speaking and listening are skills will not only get their point across but help them to learn to be good negotiators, a highly valued quality in many job roles. The activities in this topic include some role play involving selective listening and interpreting body language while we speak or listen to others.
This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 4 but can be used with a range of groups depending on their needs and abilities, and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes modern and striking imagery to appeal to young adult learners.
“Reach for the stars” is a classroom topic about enterprise skills. This topic will help students to understand that enterprise skills cover everything from becoming a top entrepreneur to showing initiative and enterprise in everyday life. Students will learn in a light hearted way about the idea of being enterprising as a skill they might like to develop and reflect on how this could help them in a future career.
This topic supports the learning outcomes in the Association for Careers Education and Guidance (ACEG) framework for career and work-related learning at Key Stage 3 and provides good evidence of lesson planning. Two files are included with this topic. The first file is a lesson plan, worksheets and suggested running order for the activities. The lesson plan also includes differentiated learning goals, reflective questions and a “before and after” review of learning relating to this topic. The second file is a slide show presentation which can be used with a whiteboard or pc/laptop and projector, to add structure to the lesson for students. The slideshow has the same running order as the lesson plan, and includes engaging and high quality images to add visual appeal.
