The Government is committed to raising the employability of young people and as part of that process most students now go out on work experience as they approach school leaving age. The aim is to help them to get a better understanding of, and be better prepared for, life in the adult workplace.

Work experience is usually for one at an employer’s premises. The aim is for students to carry out tasks much as an employee would, but with the emphasis on learning about the job and the company.

Some students will be asked to carry out work experience as part of their course at Post 16.  All students in Year 12 have an opportunity to attend a work experience placement, with the majority securing an in-person placement (83% in 2025). These are the sectors that our students have worked with: 

Year 10 students complete virtual work experience, selecting from a vast array of opportunities on Springpod.  Year 10 students have been exploring opportunities with leading employers including Aldi, JD Sports, Amazon, the NHS, Barclays and Rolls-Royce. They also participate in employer encounter workshops during Enrichment Days, with over 20 employers normally involved in delivering sessions providing workplace insights. 

Students are encouraged to log all experiences on Unifrog, and there is also extensive support for securing and making the most of placement opportunities. 

Work experience opportunities for all year groups are regularly shared via Google Classroom and the Parent Bulletin. 

How you can help your child

• Help them to understand that it may be hard to find a placement in a job that they are interested in for a future career. The placement doesn’t have to be in an area of particular interest to be useful. The main purpose is that they have the experience of working and dealing with different situations in an adult working environment.

• Ask family, friends or anyone you know who may be able to offer them a placement in a type of job they would like.

• If it is a very small company, find out if the person is a sole trader. If they do not employ any staff they will not have the necessary Employers Liability Insurance in place to cover your child.

• If it is a large company, identify which part of the company they will be working in.

• Help them to appreciate the goodwill of employers who offer the placements

• Help them to adopt good work habits e.g. punctuality, appropriate appearance and behaviour.

• Encourage them to have a positive approach to the placement, even if it isn’t quite what they expected.

• Encourage them to utilise the resources on Unifrog and Springpod.