Work Experience

Work experience

Sixth Form students at Steyning have undertaken Work Experience (WEX) successfully for many years and many have gone on to work for the company they have done their placement with, even on occasion, beating university graduates to a place!

The Sixth Form WEX programme allows students to gain an insight into the type of work they are considering for the future. WEX provides a more sophisticated look at work, rather than just an experience of working, which many students may already have in part time employment. We aim to gain placements with/for students in the type of career they are considering for their future. This is becoming more important for certain university courses such as veterinary or teaching as students must complete a placement in order to gain a place at university. This is equally valuable when applying for apprenticeships or the world of work.

If students have no idea what their career path is yet, (and many don't), then WEX is a great way to try out something they are interested in generally: it might be the spark they need to follow up later for a career; it helps develop self-confidence and build a CV with proof of skills that employers are looking for; it will also be used by tutors writing references and students writing personal statements for University or job applications. Occasionally, students decide after their week that they are no longer interested in a particular industry and this proves why WEX is useful as it can help young people save time when applying for further education or training. 

We hold our WEX week during the transition period between Year 12 and 13, which is normally a week in July. All students in Year 12 are expected to take part. There is a tried and tested process starting with the launch to students in the Autumn Term of Year 12, introducing the whole process, including how to choose a placement, Health and Safety requirements etc.. Every company must be checked prior to the placement to ensure student safety.  There will be a link to view possible available placements which students will be given access to at the launch. Students can find their own placements; these will also have to have Health and Safety checks – (if out of West Sussex, these checks might incur an additional charge) - all will be explained at the launch. If students are intending to go on other school trips around this time, the placement will be moved to an alternative week. 

Note: for Health and Safety reasons, students are not permitted to do work experience in term time abroad. Students can supplement their work experience during the holidays when these restrictions and paperwork are not needed, however this will not replace the term time placement.