News & Events - General

The clubs visited by the students were: the East India Club, the Royal Automobile Club, the Reform Club, The Travellers Club, The Carlton Club, the Royal Air force Club, the Cavalry and Guards Club and Boodles. The groups of students were given tours of the clubs and tasked with setting a formal table in the dining rooms where they were later served lunch. They took part in a bed making competition which was led by housekeeping and students learnt that on average they clean or turn around a room in 30 minutes. In the kitchens, they made a basic dessert with groups making scones, bread and butter pudding, chocolate flan and smoothies.

Students were given the opportunity to talk to staff and they learned that progression is positively encouraged and can be swift.  Many of the staff they met had started as kitchen porters or concierge and were now managers in a range of positions. Feedback from the students included: “It made me consider a career in this industry which I hadn’t thought of before” and “We were made very welcome and I really enjoyed learning about the history of some of the clubs”.
 
Karen Wheatley, Head of Section - Service Industries at the College, said: “The students adhered to a strict dress code and all looked very smart and professional with the majority of the boys wearing a suit and tie.  They all behaved impeccably and were an absolute joy to spend the day with and made all of us at Kingston College very proud. The clubs have told the organiser, Nicole Lauder of The Springboard Charity which helps young people get experience, and ultimately a career in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry, that they were very impressed with the efforts the students made and the perceptive questions which they asked.  We very much hope that this will become an annual event.  As a direct result of this day we have had numerous offers of work experience and advice and guidance which will be invaluable for their studies.”

The College has built a strong relationship with Springboard UK over the last 10 years, with its students being regular participants in the Springboard Summer School.  Many of our former students have secured full time posts through this scheme including some employed by Springboard itself.  Last year we provided WorldHost Customer Service Training to 65 Springboard Summer School students as part of this unique work experience programme.