Work Experience
Sheldon School offers all Year 10 students the opportunity to spend up to one week out on a work experience placement with an employer. This usually occurs in June. We will invite parents to attend a meeting about our Work Experience Programme at the beginning if Year 10 with confirmation of the dates and further information about placements.
In the 2020 Youth Voice Census, 86% of the young people surveyed felt that work experience helped them to make decisions about their futures, while 45% cited a lack of experience as their key barrier to gaining employment
Source: Education Development Trust
Why do Work Experience?
Work Experience is an important part of the Year 10 Curriculum and is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain an insight into the 'World of Work' and to help prepare them for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life.
If you do not know what job you want, or you cannot get your perfect placement, any work experience is better than none. Whatever job you try, you'll learn more about yourself and working life. You'll also gain skills in the process. It may even lead to more suitable experience with the same company.
What are the benefits of Work Experience?
Work experience should give you:
- an understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers
- an opportunity to explore possible career options
- increased self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence
- increased motivation to continue study and/or undertake further training
- a better understanding of how the school curriculum can help prepare young people for work
- an introduction to workplace recruitment practices
- enhanced opportunities for part-time employment
- the opportunity to include the employer's work experience evaluation in future job and course applications
- opportunities to develop work-related competencies and acquire skills
- the chance to 'try out' a workplace.
If you have any questions about our Work Experience Programme, please contact Mrs Tracey Tillotson, Teacher in Charge of Work Experience, ttillotson@sheldonschool.co.uk