At the beginning of February 2023, Year 10 students were given the opportunity to take part in a week-long work experience placement developing employability skills and finding out about the world of work. This is a really exciting and valuable part of the students’ careers education throughout their time at Bishop Luffa, which is remembered long after the event.
Students were encouraged to organise their work experience placements themselves by contacting employers and exploring the Education Business Partnership work experience database for contacts. They then wrote emails, made phone calls, sent cvs, and attended work placement interviews as needed. Students had lots of ideas of companies to contact and worked hard to secure their placements.
Placements were successfully organised in a whole range of industries, with some students taking the opportunity to carry out their placement away from home. Students arranged placements in universities, stables, charities, vets, architects, law firms, museums, schools, florists, hospitals, IT departments, engineering companies, hotels, garages, estate agents, retail, hairdressers, farms and sailing clubs amongst others. Highlights identified by students during their placements included talking on the radio, cleaning a plane, working different hours, meeting like-minded people, site visits, learning from others, a trip to London, looking after animals, helping children learn, meeting new people, learning how to make coffee, and attending meetings and conferences.
Feedback from employers shows how impressed they are with our students with many commenting on what a credit they are to the school and themselves. Comments such as ‘was absolutely amazing’, ‘used her initiative’, ‘impressed with his professional manner’ ‘saw her confidence grow’ ‘helpful and mature’, ‘boundless energy and enthusiasm’, ‘a natural problem solver’, were made by employers with some students being offered part time jobs, and further work experience opportunities.
We are very grateful to everyone involved in supporting our work experience programme. Please get in touch with hoppa@bishopluffa.org.uk if you work for a company who may be able to offer a work experience opportunity in the future.