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!
“Be safe” is a self-contained classroom topic that helps students to understand some basic principles about how to keep themselves and others safe in a school or working environment. It includes an overview of recognising hazards and risks and why it is important to manage these in the workplace. An understanding of health and safety is an essential part of learning about the world of work but it can also be applied to their everyday lives.
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.
“Too much information?” is a self-contained classroom topic about finding and using LMI (Labour Market Information). Understanding LMI is vital to informed decision making about careers. This topic will help students to make informed and realistic choices for their future by drawing on all available sources of knowledge and evaluating how useful they are.
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.
“Are you environmentally friendly” is a self-contained classroom topic about the use of resources. All organisations have an obligation to deliver goods and services at the best value for the consumer but they also need to consider how to use finite resources and minimise the damage they do to the environment. In this topic students will think about their own school or college environmental policies and research the environmental policies of other organisations that make items they use every day. This topic requires internet access for a small scale research activity.
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.
“Do you see what I see?” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces the idea of body language and non-verbal expression as an essential part of our communication, whether we realise it or not. The activities in this topic will help students to consider what signals they give and receive to and from other people and how this impacts on their level of communication and understanding of others. Internet access is required for one small optional activity.
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.
“Being my own boss” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces students to thinking about key aspects involved in running a business: organising premises, people, marketing and simple finance (profit and loss). They will consider the factors involved in selecting premises, planning for items of income and expenditure and then go on to complete a simple exercise in calculating profit and loss for a new business start up.
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.
“It’s a risky business” is a topic that helps students to understand the difference between hazards and risks. These are present in every workplace, and everyone at work needs an understanding of how to minimise and deal with risks to their own and others’ safety. In this topic students will consider what hazards and risks are using pictures and examples, then go on to carry out a practical exercise in completing a risk assessment on part of their own location (school/college). You may need to plan in advance students to be allowed access to these areas.
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.
“Tell me when…” is a self-contained classroom topic about how to handle a competency based interview. This is a widely used interview technique which is designed to test your suitability for a job by looking at your past behaviour. Instead of asking you to describe your work background, the interviewer(s) will give you some scenarios and ask you to give a specific example of when you have been in this situation and how you dealt with it. This can be a challenging interview if you haven’t prepared for it, but there is one advantage in that if you don’t have a lot of work experience you can draw on other examples from your life. The title is a play on words as the question may start “Tell me when (…you faced this situation).
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.
“My decisions and choices” is a self-contained classroom topic for students approaching the key transition stage at 16. It helps them to explore how to make a well informed and realistic decision at this critical stage. Students will discuss how they make decisions, and the pitfalls of making a choice without all the information they need. They will try using a decision matrix, and then try out an exercise in choice involving the main progression opportunities available to them: sixth form college, full time FE college, apprenticeship or a job with training.
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 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.
“It’s my business” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces students to different types of business and helps then to understand the differences between public and private sector companies, charities and sole traders. They will explore some key job roles in these businesses and complete an organisational chart, then go on to discuss different working patterns and the advantages of flexible working.
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.
“It’s good to talk!” is a self-contained classroom topic about how to hold a positive conversation. Effective speaking is a skill that can be applied in any situation but is critically important when your ability to speak well is being measured in a presentation or interview. Being aware of how your tone or body language affects your conversation is necessary to avoid misunderstandings with other people. This topic explores how to develop good conversation skills.
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
“My role at work” is a self-contained classroom topic that explores some frequently found job roles in many organisations. It encourages students to think not just about a company they want to work for but the role they may take within it and the skills required for these roles. This topic also introduces the concept of job progression from entry level to higher roles within the same area.
The topic includes a small scale research project into job roles and progression for which internet access is required.
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.
“Managing me” is a self-contained classroom topic that introduces the idea of self-management as a skill. Students will consider their own self-management skills and how these could impact on their future career. They will explore not only how to manage their time better but to prioritise what is most important when time is limited.
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.
“My motivation matters” is a self-contained classroom topic about personal motivation and how this impacts on future job satisfaction. In this topic students will consider what motivates then generally and how they can relate this to their future career choices. They will identify some motivating and demotivating factors, consider the “motivation factors” in different job roles and take part in structured discussions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This work experience project will help students to build a record of achievement, keep portfolio evidence of work-based learning and gain the maximum benefit from work experience in an engineering setting. The resource is a set of print friendly pages in large A4 size and is intended for students working at around Level 2. The sheets include questions and space for recording evidence of tasks completed, skills developed, information about the organisation, health and safety and environmental management. A detailed skills log is also appended as an optional extra, which includes more evidence gathering appropriate to this subject at Level 2. A detachable employer reference is also included. The project is for use in a workplace setting.
