Work Experience
Work Experience Timeline
The Department for Education (DfE) definition of work experience is:
'A placement on an employer's premises in which a student carries out a particular task or duty, or range of tasks or duties, more or less as would an employee, but with an emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience.”
Work experience is often an impactful experience and one that contributes to the young person's overall development into adulthood. Through work experience students have:
- improved their self-awareness, work based skills and attributes.
- identified personal areas needed for development
- learnt how to behave in a different environment to their school
- learnt about different pathways and opportunities
- identified their likes and dislikes in the world of work.
- felt part of the adult community.
At Foreland Fields School we recognise the importance of students accessing personalised work experience from Key Stage 4 onwards.
We want our students to not only experience the world of work but to understand it. Therefore, it is vital that students have the opportunity to learn about employment and volunteering throughout post primary education.
Students will learn about skills for the world of work and different future paths and will be encouraged through meetings with the career advisor, class teacher and Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) mentor to reflect on their own flight path. Parents and carers are invited to attend specific future planning meetings and support children with discussions and research at home.
Below is an example of how work experience fits within the curriculum path from Key Stage 4.
|
Curriculum Path |
Work Experience |
Evidence |
|
Pioneers |
● Students study the world of work as part of PSHE ● Students take a qualification that promotes employability skills including Curriculum Vitae writing and Interview skills. ● Students have opportunities for workplace visits and career talks. ● Students attend work experience in year 10 and KS5. Some students will attend Supported Internship ● Students have a Preparing for Adulthood mentor who has termly meetings to discuss planning for the future including looking at work experience options.
|
Written and photographic
Portfolio of work pre work experience and whilst on the placement.
Work Experience reflective diary and skill checklist completed during work experience and at home with parent/care
Constructive feedback questionnaire completed by Employer.
Online record completed of skills experienced during work experience to be completed by PFA Mentor and student. |
|
Discoverers and Adventurers |
● Students learn about jobs in the community. ● Students develop basic life skills applicable to the workplace such as communication, teamwork and community skills. ● Students have opportunities for workplace visits ● Students have the opportunity to attend work experience in house in KS4 and in the community in KS5 ● Contribute to in school enterprise. ● Students have a Preparing for Adulthood mentor who has termly meetings to discuss planning for the future including looking at work experience options. |
Written and photographic evidence.
Constructive feedback questionnaire completed by Employer.
Online record of skills experienced during work experience to be completed by PFA Mentor and student. |
|
Explorers |
● Experience people in the community who help us ● Visit different places of work in the community ● Contribute to in school enterprise |
Photographic evidence and feedback from staff and community. .
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