Fulston Manor School Work experience week 13 th – 17 th July 2015

What is work experience? A work placement is an opportunity to spend a period of time outside the classroom, learning about a particular job or area of work. During your placement, you will be able to find out what skills employers look for when they are hiring someone to fill a job vacancy.

What is the point?  Builds your confidence and self-esteem  Develops your practical skills  Shows you how to work in a team  Gives you a better financial understanding and more economic awareness  Helps you to plan and research different career pathways

Timetable 6 th OctoberWork experience forms go home for completion 7 th NovemberDeadline for completed forms to be returned to school for processing November onwardsPlacements organised with employers and Health and Safety checks carried out JuneWork experience preparation commences 13 th – 17 th JulyWork experience week

Choosing a placement Students should think as broadly as possible. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to find a suitable placement. For instance, decide whether you would be willing to travel to a placement. Some students have travelled to London for work experience. Think about linking your placement to a possible future career or consider your favourite subjects or interests both in and out of school. Any work experience is valuable as you will develop your confidence and communication skills.

Choosing a placement We encourage all students to find their own placement. It means that you will be able to choose your own placement (subject to Health and Safety checks) and will ensure it is somewhere that you really want to go. If you cannot find your own placement, please indicate on your form exactly what sort of placement you would like.

Work experience forms Every student in Year 10 is expected to complete a work placement. A form must be completed for every student, even if you organise your own placement. Be realistic about your choice of placement as some types of work are extremely hard to find. First come, first served. Please return your forms as quickly as possible. No form means no placement.

Health and Safety checks Health and Safety checks take at least twelve weeks, therefore if you change your mind about your placement, you could find yourself without any work experience. High risk placements or out of area placements may take longer to arrange. If a placement does not have Health and Safety approval, you will not be allowed to attend. Health and Safety checks are undertaken by an independent body, the school has no input or control over the checks. If you arrange your own placement, please ensure that the company holds both Employers’ Liability Insurance and Public Liability Insurance as without these the Health and Safety will not be approved.

Interviews Some employers insist on a pre-placement interview. It is imperative that you attend should you be invited to do so. This is a valuable experience for students and we are happy to offer advice and guidance to students before they attend an interview.

Cost of placement The school does not charge for work experience placements. Transportation to and from a placement is your responsibility; the school is unable to reimburse travel expenses. However, Health and Safety checks are expensive and if a student changes their mind once the Health and Safety has been approved, we will have to pass this cost on to parents.

Work placements The number and pattern of working hours can vary from placement to placement. You should expect to work a longer day than whilst at school. Employers are not allowed to make any payment to work experience students. You should not accept work experience at a company with whom you already have paid employment.

Before the week commences A confirmation letter will be sent to parents detailing placements. Placements will not be confirmed until Health and Safety approval is received. Full preparation sessions will take place within tutor groups. All students should contact their employer beforehand to introduce themselves. Parents should encourage this. You could ask questions regarding working hours, lunch-time arrangement, dress code, etc. Ensure you find out where the employer is located and how to get there.

During your placement Work experience diaries should be filled in daily and reviewed by the employer. Photographs and samples of work can be included. Most of you will receive a visit from a member of staff during the week. In the case of sickness, please ensure you telephone the employer and the school as soon as possible. Very occasionally a student does not enjoy their work placement. If this happens, please try to persevere. However, please do not hesitate to discuss the situation with school if necessary.

After your placement Most of you will thoroughly enjoy your work placement and will be reluctant to return to school. In some cases, you may be offered part-time employment from your employer. You will be given the opportunity to complete your diaries, write thank you letters to your employer and review the week with your peers. If you attend work experience and hand in completed diaries you will have a certificate presented to you. Special recognition will be given to students for exceptional work experience diaries.

Frequently asked questions Q:Can students arrange their own placements? A:Yes please! Q:Does a failed Health and Safety check mean a placement cannot go ahead? A:Unfortunately, yes. An alternative placement will be found if there is time. Q:What will happen if a student does not get a placement? A:Any student who is not on work experience, must come into school.

If you would like any additional information, please ask.