
Bow School, is a mixed secondary school located in Tower Hamlets, East London, with 46% of learners eligible for free school meals. The school serves a diverse community where 79% of learners have English as an Additional Language (EAL) and a local unemployment rate of 6.3% making it essential for Bow School to equip its learners with the necessary skills to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market.
In response to these challenges, Bow School partnered with the National Talent Academy (NTA), which provides essential work skills training to help learners prepare for their future careers.
“The Level 3 Essential Work Skills qualification aligns perfectly with our school vision of preparing learners to be world- and career-ready.”
Hodo Mohamud, Transition and Careers Officer at Bow School, emphasised the alignment of the program with the school’s goals:
“The Level 3 Essential Work Skills qualification aligns perfectly with our school vision of preparing learners to be world- and career-ready. This qualification supports our goal by providing learners with essential skills that are directly applicable to real-world situations and career demands. The course encourages practical learning, critical thinking, and the development of key competencies, such as financial literacy and a proactive mind-set, which are crucial for success in today’s global and competitive job market.”
Bow School’s partnership with the National Talent Academy allows learners to access these online courses, which they can complete at their own pace, supporting a range of learning needs and abilities.
Hodo further explained the course’s unique value:
“The course addresses our learners’ needs by filling crucial gaps that their BTEC or A Level courses might not cover. While their academic subjects provide a solid foundation of knowledge, this qualification equips them with practical, workplace-relevant skills that are essential for their future careers. It covers areas such as speaking confidently in public and developing a winning mentality, which are vital for real-world success but are often not emphasised in traditional academic courses.”
“The Level 3 Essential Work Skills qualification effectively meets its intended purpose for our sixth form learners by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge crucial for their future careers.”
The impact of the partnership is already evident, with learners gaining valuable skills that enhance their employability. Hodo highlights how the qualification meets the needs of Bow School’s sixth form learners:
“The Level 3 Essential Work Skills qualification effectively meets its intended purpose for our sixth form learners by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge crucial for their future careers. I particularly appreciated the Making Good Financial Choices and Developing a Winning Mentality units. These units are invaluable as they guide learners in understanding the importance of financial literacy and mind-set in achieving their career goals. They encourage learners to think critically about the steps they need to take to succeed, helping them build a strong foundation for their future endeavours.”
With many years of R&D behind it, including partnerships with Manchester University and Morgan Stanley; the impact of National Talent Academy’s courses has proven to be measurable and remarkable. Learners come out:
-Confident, knowing their strongest portable skill from Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, IT, Finance. Negotiation and Project Management.
-Financially literate
-Competent public speakers
-Level-headed with a realistic career goal and plan
-Equipped with a high-quality Virtual CV
-With a valued Level 3 Award to showcase their improved Life Skills to prospective employers
"We are immensely proud that Bow School is the first among our partners to receive this valued award. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit that Bow School embodies and reflects their commitment to preparing their learners for successful careers in a rapidly changing world. Congratulations to the entire Bow School community for setting a high standard and leading the way in careers excellence".
David Jaffa
Founder of the National Talent Academy
Furthermore, the flexibility of the online courses has been particularly beneficial for Bow School’s learners, many of whom balance educational demands with external challenges.
Hodo adds “I believe the content and assessments are perfectly suited for our learners. The videos and assessments are particularly effective, as they allow learners to work at their own pace without waiting for others to catch up. The content is also excellent, introducing topics not covered in their regular courses, so they are continuously learning new things. The skills they develop throughout the program will be incredibly valuable in both interviews and the workplace”.
Bow School learners have already begun reaping the benefits of completing the course. Hodo reported:
“Learners who completed the course last year have gone on to apprenticeships, taken a gap year to work, or pursued higher education in degrees such as Business Management, Real Estate, Human Resources, and Digital Marketing. Current Year 12 learners who have completed the course are also interested in securing apprenticeships in finance or attending university to study medicine or math-related subjects.”
Looking Forward

Bow School is committed to continuing its collaboration with the National Talent Academy. The future of the partnership looks promising, with plans to extend the course offerings and introduce new opportunities that will further support learners’ transition into the workforce or higher education.
As economic challenges persist in Tower Hamlets, the partnership between Bow School and National Talent Academy remains a vital resource for young people looking to build a better future.
If you would like to join Bow School as partners with the National Talent Academy, your journey can start for free right here.
If you would like to join Bow School as partners with the National Talent Academy, your journey can start for free right here.
Who are the National Talent Academy

The National Talent Academy offers schools and colleges engaging, yet challenging online courses in Financial Literacy, Portable Skills, Public Speaking and Winning Mentality. These courses are NCFE- endorsed and ultimately lead to a NCFE-accredited Level 3 Award in Essential Work Skills.
Fully resourced with videos, quizzes, worksheets, and practical tasks; the National Talent Academy ensures that schools and colleges around the UK have everything that they need, including a streamlined accreditation model with no unnecessary bureaucracy to give their learners an edge finding employment or starting a business following full time education.