Annual Conference for Teachers and Careers Advisers

Then the King’s College London’s annual Teachers’ Conference is for you!

Perfect for anyone interested in Higher Education, finding out more about options for students in KS4 and what universities are looking for, our Teachers’ Conference will give you access to some of our most senior leaders and experts at King’s. Covering Careers, Admissions, Covid and much more, the one-day event will have some fantastic speakers, interactive workshops offering expert guidance, information and discussions for all.

9:30- 10:00 

Introduction 

Helen Litvak, Director of Brand & Marketing at King’s College London, will open the conference by highlighting the key factors of what makes King’s an essential contributor to the service of our global society.

Welcome Address

Our welcome address will be given by Professor Ed Balls, the former Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families between 2007 and 2010 and who now holds the position of Professor of Political Economy within our Faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy. Ed will speak about the important role of higher education to shape and prepare our young people to thrive in their chosen pathways. He will highlight how King’s, through our teaching, research, and partnerships, is working hard to cultivate our future leaders to make the world a better place for all.

 

10:00-10:50

Addressing the challenges for students during Covid

Darren Wallis, Executive Director of Education and Students, will share how King’s has responded to Covid-19 and provide insights into what we have in place to ensure a safe and meaningful learning experience at King’s. Darren will draw on his years of experience and expertise in one of the most senior positions at King's, responsible for the delivery of all academic and student services.

Ask the panel!

Following Darren’s talk, he will be joined by other senior representatives from across the university for a panel discussion looking at supporting students throughout the pandemic and beyond. Amongst those joining Darren will be Dr Alice Smalley, Head of Undergraduate Admissions, Barry Hayward, Head of Disability Support, Phil Cox, Associate Director of King’s Residences and Salma Hussain, President of the King’s Students’ Union.

You will have the chance to ask your questions to the panel during the session. If you would like to submit a question to the panel leading up to the session, you can do so via the link provided in the confirmation email. 

10:50-11:00

Break

Take a break, relax and enjoy our uplifting medley of performances from King’s College London’s award-winning KCL Jazz society including their recent collaboration with the KCL Modern Music society to produce a virtual brass band programme; ‘London Calling’. This homage to the city and its cultural industries promises to brighten up your morning with a wonderful display of some of the talent here at King’s.

11:00-12:00

Morning break out sessions

There are three sessions on offer looking at different topics. (If you are finding choosing between sessions difficult, please note that all sessions will be recorded and will be distributed to all conference delegates after the conference)

Choice 1: Arts & Humanities: Where can a Bachelor of Arts lead your students?

Dr Helen Brookman, Vice Dean of Education in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, will cover the skills and experiences your students will gain whilst studying an Arts and Humanities degree. Dr Brookman will be joined by careers councillors; Crystal Debrah-Ekolie and Jane Maddison who will share where the faculty’s alumni are now working and give you an insight into the sorts of careers a degree in Arts and Humanities can lead your students. You will have the chance to ask questions to all three speakers. 

 

Choice 2: Advancing access: creating a successful Widening Participation strategy

Accessing higher education continues to be a priority for universities, schools, and colleges. Jacqueline Mujico, Widening Participation Officer, will explain how King’s can help support you and your institutions to ensure your students can access higher education. Jacqueline will be joined by Maria Kotocova, Careers and Higher Education Coordinator at Lambeth Academy. Maria participated in the King’s Advocate Award in 2018 and has since developed a hugely successful strategy of access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Maria will share her experience, provide tips on how you can do this, and share ideas on how to overcome any hurdles you may face in your own institutions. 

 

Choice 3: Alternative Pathways to Healthcare

The huge efforts front line NHS staff have put into responding to the pandemic has clearly not gone unnoticed by the next generation of healthcare workers. This year, UCAS saw a 32% rise in applications to nursing courses. With over 350 NHS careers available, there are often roles that students overlook or have never considered. This session is designed to help you guide students who are interested in a healthcare career. Hear from several departments within the King’s faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine and our Florence Nightingale faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care discussing alternative pathways in healthcare and their real-world impact.

 

12:00-13:00

Lunch Break

There will be an opportunity to network with conference delegates, speakers and staff from King’s College London.  

 

13:00-13:50

King’s College London Admissions Overview 2021

Our ever-popular annual admissions overview will be led by Dr Alice Smalley, Head of Undergraduate Admissions at King’s College London. We are acutely aware the impact of the pandemic has had on young people and their decision making. Dr Smalley will discuss the sector changes and the affect Covid-19 has had on the application cycle.

Dr Smalley will touch on the timeline for this year, including the extended UCAS deadlines and our admissions response to these changes. There will be the opportunity to ask Dr Smalley all your questions on admissions.

13:50-14:00

Break

Hear once again from our fabulous KCL Jazz society including their recent collaboration with the KCL Modern Music society to produce a virtual brass band programme; ‘London Calling’. This homage to the city and its cultural industries promises to get you excited for the rest of the afternoon’s workshops and talks!

14:00-15:00

Afternoon break out sessions

We have more sessions on offer for you to participate in. (If you are finding choosing between sessions difficult please note that all sessions will be recorded and will be distributed to all conference attendees after the conference)

 

Choice 1: Future Change Makers: Where can Social Sciences lead your students

Hear from Beka Kimberly, Careers Consultant for the faculty of Social Sciences and Public Policy on the importance of careers and employability and challenge the narrative of why students should choose certain degrees. Beka will break down the career interests and destinations of students who have studied Social Science degrees at King’s and how a degree in social sciences meets the skills and demands that employers ask for from graduate applicants. This session is great for those who want to learn where a Social Science degree can lead students to help guide them in making their degree choices. 

 

Choice 2: Contemporary STEM degrees and careers: spotlight on Biomedical Engineering

Professor Kawal Rhode, Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Head of Education for School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences will discuss the importance of STEM degrees and the careers available. Learn specifically how Biomedical Engineering impacts the world around us, the affect it has on society and the career opportunities it can lead to. This session is great for those who want to learn about different STEM pathways to help guide students in making STEM degree choices.  

 

Choice 3: Student and Alumni Panel: What are students really thinking?

Hear from current King’s students and King’s alumni about their views on education, current and post-university life, and their experience of the pandemic. Gain insights and hear directly from students themselves about what they have found valuable, and what they think about how educators can support young people to thrive. 

15:00-15:50

Careers in Covid World

The impact of Covid-19 on young people will continue to be far-reaching. In our final session of the day, Tammy Goldfeld, Interim Head of Careers & Employability at King’s, will lead a discussion with top graduate employers about what employers are seeking and how young people can best prepare themselves for the world of work. What will young people need to adapt to new labour markets? How can schools help support and steer students so they can take their steps into graduate employment confidently?

15:50-16:00

Final Address and Close