January 2016
Dear Parents/Carers
Work Experience for Year 10 students
Year 10 students have recently been invited to apply to take part in our Work Experience
programme. This is not compulsory, but for those who choose to submit an application, it
offers them a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, and gain experience of life in a
workplace, for a short period of time. Our co-ordinator, Mrs Julia Pitt, will take care to match
students with a placement that is really suited to their needs and interests.
The placement dates allocated are during the last week of a term, but could alternatively be
completed during a holiday period to avoid missing any time from school. Due to the
requirements of our school curriculum, we are unable to release students at any other time.
You may wish to find a placement for your son or daughter; if so please feel free to contact
Mrs Pitt to discuss its suitability as we have to follow strict health and safety guidelines, and
some placements may not suitable for students of this age group. We currently have in
excess of one hundred employers who are registered with the school, offering a wide variety
of opportunities.
On the reverse of this letter we have outlined the application procedure. Students who are
interested in applying should see Mrs Pitt in the Work Experience office to collect an
application form.
If you have any questions about Work Experience please do not hesitate to make contact or
if you are an employer and are willing to offer placements to our students please email
[email protected]
Yours sincerely
Mike Adams
Assistant Headteacher
Applying for a Work Experience Placement – Guidance for Students
Work experience is available to all Year 10 students but it is not compulsory. This is an
opportunity to represent the School and to find out more about what may be your chosen
career. There are 5 separate weeks that have been allocated for Work Experience this year,
the first starting in October.
What you need to do
The application form should be completed by the student
Stage 1
Collect an Application Form from the Work Experience office and complete it in your best
handwriting, giving as much detail as possible. Screwed up or torn application forms will be
rejected. Complete it as if you were applying for a job and return it when it has been signed
by your parents/carer.
Stage 2
You will receive a letter inviting you to attend an interview with Mrs Pitt. This is your chance
to explain why you have chosen a particular job/trade/business.
Stage 3
Mrs Pitt will contact chosen place of employment and ask if they can offer you a placement.
Stage 4
You may be required to attend a formal/informal interview with the employer.
Stage 5
You will receive a letter from Mrs Pitt informing you of the outcome of your interview.
There is a display board near the Work Experience office with a selection of placements that
are available. If you do not see anything that appeals to you, there are further choices in the
Work Experience office. If you decide to find your own placement, all you need to do is give
the details to Mrs Pitt who will contact them on your behalf. A Risk Assessment will need to
be carried out by Mrs Pitt.
NB The following may affect whether you are able to participate in Work Experience as there
are some restrictions that we have to consider:
1. If you are 15yrs of age after June 2016 (some employers’ insurance does not cover
younger students) You need to be 15 before you can go out on a work placement – contact
Mrs Pitt for details. This is due to employers insurance liability.
2. Your behaviour leading up to your placement has been unacceptable in school
3. If you decide to find your own placement please note that you will not be allowed to work
with any person who works alone (self employed with no employees), or working with a
family member who works from home.
4. There is no Employers Liability Insurance for your chosen employer.
In addition, as part of the Education Act of 1996, you are not allowed to be paid for the work that
you undertake so you need to be aware of this before you start.