Work Experience
At Cardinal Heenan we use a provider called Elevate to support with work experience placements as well as our own CEIAG member of staff. Work experience is an opportunity for young people to gain an insight into the world of work, and to help them prepare for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life.
We expect all of our Year 10 students to go on their work experience placement in the last two weeks of term in July, 3rd July-14th July 2023.
We expect all our Year 12 students to gain 5 days meaningful work experience during preferably during the last week of term 10th-15th July 2023. However, can be arranged at alternative times pending approval from Mr Phipps and Miss McCabe.
Arranging a work experience placement
Students are asked, in the first instance, to try to arrange a placement for themselves. This is called a self-placement. In order to arrange a placement for themselves, students are asked to consider the type of placement that they are interested in. They will then need to approach the employer in person, by phone, letter or email in order to secure the placement. Some companies may ask for a CV. Advice on writing CV’s and approaching work experience employers is provided by tutors in form time sessions, as well as using the Unifrog Platform. Additional advice for students can be found using the link below:
https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers-advice/work-experience/how-to-get-work-experience
In addition, a parent guide to work experience can be found using the link below. It includes information on how to help their son arrange a work experience placement, and how to support them during the process:
http://www.staffpart.org.uk/resources/2/46_Parents%20Guide.pdf
Things to consider when arranging a work experience placement
- We discourage students from working with their parents or relatives, as a major part of the experience is for the students to work with people that they have not worked with before in a new environment.
- We cannot accept placements where your child would be working on a one to one basis.
- Some placements require protective clothing, which are not always provided by the employer.
- Placements working with children or vulnerable adults may require applicants to be DBS (police) checked.
- Any student working with animals is advised to have a tetanus injection.
- It is a good idea to research transport links before deciding on a placement.
Completing the self-placement form
Once a work experience placement is agreed, the students are asked to complete the self-placement form with a company representative. The top section of this form is completed and returned to their form tutor. This form gives parents’ permission for their child to be included in the work experience programme. The front section details any medical issues which would need to be considered when selecting placements. The reverse section summarises the placement details. We then send the self-placement form to Changing Education who will assess the suitability of the placement for Health and Safety and insurance requirements. Employers accepting a student on work experience need to have Public Liability and Employers Liability insurance. Any student who is unable to arrange a self-placement has an interview with our Careers Advisor, who assists in arranging a suitable work experience placement.
Work Experience Preparation Day
All Year 10 students take part in a work experience preparation day. They are asked to complete a series of activities in sessions designed to get them to think carefully about their upcoming placement. The sessions include:
- Preparing for a work experience placement
- Getting the most out of a work experience placement
- Employability skills
- Health and safety
Prior to the Work Experience Placement
Each student receives a Work Experience Log book that they must complete thoroughly during the placement. They are given instructions on how to complete the log book. A copy of the log book will be uploaded later in the academic year.
During the Work Experience Placement
Work Experience Log Book
We ask that students complete their log book thoroughly during the placement, and bring it back into school with them in the first school week in September. There are sections in the log book for their employer and parent/carer to complete.
Absence/Lateness
If a student cannot attend/will be late for any reason we ask them to contact the work placement and school by phone. If the work experience placement is closed the student must attend school that day.
Issues/Concerns
If a student has any issues/concerns during the work experience placement we ask their parent/carer to contact us.
Staff Visits
During the placement staff will visit the employer and student to find out how they are getting on.
Email to Employers
An email will be sent to employers asking them to complete feedback on the student.
After the Work Experience Placement
Students are asked to bring their work experience log books back into school in the first week back in September 2022. We use the information in the log book to support them with CV writing, personal statements, and college/6th form interview preparation.
