Achieve Economic Well Being

It is vital to give the students opportunities to help them gain the personal, social and work-related skills essential to the 21st century workplace.

We believe that this is best achieved by direct experience of a working environment, so by the time they reach the end of Year 11, all students will have had the minimum of two weeks work experience.

Every student in Year 10 studies for a two-year Vocational Diploma in a subject of their choice. During their course they will study a variety of work related topics. From September 2008, Hartsdown is one of only four institutions in Kent to lead the new diploma qualification in Society, Health and Development. This important course features all practical aspects of working in the social, health and justice arena.

Links with local businesses are always being strengthened. As part of their curriculum, Year 7 take part in an innovation project where they have the chance to demonstrate their business skills and talents. Later in their college careers in Year 10, this learning is consolidated when all students take part in a Business Enterprise competition judged by local business experts.