King’s Park Secondary School: Supporting Mental Health and Soft Skills for Career Success

At King’s Park Secondary School in Glasgow, Niamh Egan recently organised a F4S encounter for S4 students, focusing on two crucial aspects for career readiness: soft skills and mental health.

The session began by exploring the soft skills required to succeed in an interview setting, offering students practical insights into how they can present themselves confidently in professional situations. In addition, the event addressed the topic of mental health—highlighting its impact in the workplace and fostering open discussions about attitudes towards mental health and wellbeing in the professional world.

This encounter aligned with key Curriculum for Excellence outcomes, including encouraging students to reflect on their skills, make informed career choices, and plan for future transitions. The event also addressed Career Education Standard “I can” statements, helping students understand how to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations, such as job applications and interviews.

A key takeaway from the session came from Valerie Michie from The Huntercombe Group, who shared:

“We all know ways to look after our physical health and we can all learn ways to look after our mental health too.”

The students gained a deeper understanding of how mental health is just as important as physical health, and how they can take proactive steps to ensure their wellbeing in the future.

This event underscores the importance of developing both emotional resilience and practical skills as students transition into the workforce. By tackling mental health alongside career skills, King’s Park is setting a strong foundation for students to navigate the challenges ahead.

If you’re interested in similar opportunities for your school, F4S provides a great platform to connect students with business leaders who can share invaluable knowledge and advice.