PSHE | Sex Education | Work Experience | Careers Education

WORK EXPERIENCE

Aims
The programme aims to help pupils to:

	see the relevance and application of what they are learning at school
	improve personal and social skills – working with others, communication, etc
	improve knowledge of local organisations.
	find out about education, training and employment opportunities
	find out about career opportunities
	achieve tasks which can support and enhance GCSE courses and other school work
	ease the transition from school to work

The Programme
All students take part in the Year 11 Work Experience programme for two weeks, as far as possible working the same hours as regular employees. Work experience is one of the best ways in which young people learn about the attitudes and personal qualities needed in employment and are able to develop their own personal and social skills as they do so.

Arranging Placements
The girls are encouraged to find their own placements and make an application to an employer. Most employers conduct an interview with the pupil before offering work experience. The school’s WRL Co-ordinator, together with form tutors, supports the student throughout the process. Briefings are undertaken during tutor periods giving basic information and direction and ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed by students, parents and employers. Once placements are confirmed the Connexions service arranges Health and Safety and insurance checks for each organisation. Girls are advised to make contact with the company shortly before they begin work experience to finalise details and dispel any apprehensions.

Briefing
This is undertaken during tutor periods giving basic information and directions about Health and Safety, punctuality, appearance etc. Girls are advised to make contact with the organisation shortly before they begin the work experience to finalise details and dispel any apprehensions.

The Placement
Experiences vary considerably between organisation but usually include one or more of the following:
doing a job
assisting with a job
observing/shadowing others in their work
rotating around various departments
carrying out a specific task or project

Students are visited during the placement by a member of staff who will produce a brief report for the WRL Co-ordinator. Students are expected to keep a diary of their work experience activities and the employer will be asked to make comments on the placement and provide a testimonial for the student’s file. Debriefing takes place in the following week when the girls discuss their experiences.

Sixth Form Work Experience

The school strongly encourages students in the sixth form to organise placements in their own time to support their studies.
This should be different from any experience of work pre-16 and normally takes the form of one of the following:

		work shadowing
		completing A-level assignments within the context of industry/ commerce
		Young Enterprise
		Business Challenge
		Community Work

For further information on sixth form Work Experience, please click here.

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