At Darrick Wood School, all Year 12 students take part in our annual Work Experience Programme each July. Additionally, all Year 12 students studying a BTEC course which requires them to participate in a work experience placement in line with their course, will complete additional work experience during the academic year.
Our work experience programme is designed to give young people a better insight into the world of work and to acquaint them with the key skills necessary to succeed in adult working life. Taking part in the work experience programme is an excellent opportunity for students to learn and develop transferrable skills that will benefit them in the future.
Work experience usually takes place on an employer’s premises in which students carry out particular tasks, similar to an employee but with the emphasis on the learning aspects. More recently, organisations are offering an increasing number of virtual opportunities which enable students to gain an insight into a wide of industries.
Although we recommend that students link work experience placements to future career aspirations, the placement may not necessarily reflect the eventual career choice of the student but should allow a broad experience of the workplace.
Students are required to find their own placement but are encouraged to speak with Mrs Collier, our Pathways and Work Experience Coordinator for support and guidance.
As a minimum requirement, all employers must have valid Employer’s Liability Insurance in place, at the time of the placement. Without this, the placement will not by approved by the School under any circumstances.
All Year 12 students are required to source a one-week work experience placement from Monday, 8th July until Friday, 12th July 2024.
Students have been briefed during a registration presentation, led by Mrs Collier, our Pathways and Work Experience Coordinator and are aware of their responsibility to source their own work experience placement.
Mrs Collier is available for support and guidance and students are aware that they must speak with her to keep her updated with their progress.
This year, we are using Unifrog (www.unifrog.org) to manage the administration of the work experience programme – for example collecting information from the Employer about their risk assessment and Health & Safety Policy, as well as getting agreement from parents/carers for the placement to go ahead.
Students must agree the placement with the Employer first, and then students will get the ball rolling by adding the placement to their Unifrog account (they’ll find the Placements tool on their Unifrog homepage). Login details were provided to students earlier this term and students have been advised to contact me if they require details to be re-sent. The Unifrog system will then email the Employer, the named Parent/Carer, and the School, to collect the necessary information and permissions. For the process to work, it is essential that students add the initial information about the placement accurately.
Once a student has secured a work experience placement, the following forms must be submitted by the deadlines outlined:
Finding out more:
Students are encouraged to contact Mrs Collier for advice and update her of their progress in finding a work experience placement. It is important that students do this so that the school are aware of individual progress and can update records in order for the Careers and Work Experience Department to start making basic checks on placements that have been sourced.
If so, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Mrs L Collier, Pathways and Work Experience Coordinator, for further information.
Darrick Wood School
Lovibonds Avenue,
Orpington,
Kent, BR6 8ER
01689 850271
office@darrickwood.bromley.sch.uk