Work Experience at Stowupland High School Year 11 Work Experience in context

WORK EXPERIENCE “Work experience may be defined as a placement on an employer’s premises in which a student carries out a particular task or duty, or a range of tasks and duties, more or less as an employee, but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience” DfES (Feb 2002)

Work Experience is not…. cheap labour a skive from school a holiday for your teacher a path to a sure job

WORK EXPERIENCE – a chance……. To meet new people. To find out more about industry and commerce. To experience travelling to work. To exercise more self- discipline and responsibility. To improve your self- confidence. To improve your social skills. To learn the importance of punctuality.

Why go on work experience? To understand the pros and cons of working. To get more information about jobs. You might be offered a job. To see what working would be like. To learn new skills and work with people of different age groups. To do something different.

Why work experience? Effective work-based and work- related learning can help you to become: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, effective contributors to society and work.

Work experience is often the first opportunity for you to operate in an adult working environment. A potentially powerful experience that can improve awareness of different surroundings, behaviours, practices, cultures and attitudes. A chance for employers to help young people understand employability and core skills.

Work experience is a major part of most secondary schools’ enterprise in education programmes. It is a statutory entitlement for all young people at Key Stage 4. It offers students the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge they might not otherwise have a chance to explore. It enhances your understanding of the world of work.

Effective work experience A partnership approach – involving the student, parent/guardian, school and employer. Placements are well planned and prepared. Clear objectives are defined for the student and supported by parents/guardians. There is an effective debrief and self- evaluation to reflect on the experience.

Effective career guidance A meaningful work experience can help influence career direction. Matching students to relevant work experience placements add value for entry to HE and FE courses. YOU should be viewing work experience as a learning experience – not a holiday!

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