Work experience this year will take place from 13 to 17 July 2026

During the school's  Enrichment Week all year 10 students are expected to complete 5 days of work experience on employers' premises.

Work Experience is intended to help students appreciate the change of roles and responsibilities and the range of skills that are required when entering the world of work. Whilst it is often more relevant if you have an experience that can act as a future career taster, any work experience will lead to an increase in your employability skills and is invaluable in your development.

What type of work can students do?

• There are a wide variety of placements available in different industries; However, in some cases legislations imposes restrictions on the type of work which students can do.  Due to a student's inexperience and age some tasks may only be completed under strict supervision or may be observations only.  

What hours can a student work whilst on a Work Experience Placement?

• Students should not work for more than 5 days in any consecutive seven day period and not work more than a standard 8-hours day or 40 hours in a week.  The pattern of work is a matter of agreement by the employer and the student/parents. Students can work up until 10pm in some cases, where shift basis work is required.

How much are students paid whilst on Work Placements?

• Students must not be paid whilst on Work Experience as it is an educational experience not employment. 

Students on work experience are not permitted to work in the following areas:  a tattoo studio, a body piercing studio, parts of a beauty salon where semi-permanent make up is used, an abattoir, at any height, on water, in the air – hot air balloons, helicopters, gliders etc., in gambling locations – amusement arcades, betting shops, casinos, behind the bar of public houses and restaurants selling alcohol, in an off-licence, with guns – e.g. gun shop, gamekeeper, with fireworks, on new build sites where below groundworks are taking place.

Advice on how to contact employers to ask for a work experience placement and other useful information about work experience can be found in the guide booklets on this page below.