Work experience is a very important part of preparing you for life beyond Longfield. It offers a unique insight into the world of work, which cannot be replicated in the school environment. It gives you the opportunity to know how it feels to work alongside adults; how people work together; how things get done; and how work differs from school. It is an invaluable week, where many new skills can be learnt.

Work experience does not necessarily have to link to your chosen career. Many young people do not know which career path they may take, but it gives you the opportunity to see what the world of work is like. Work experience will help you to learn about punctuality, dress code, communication, time management, as well as allowing you to develop new skills and experiences.

All students have to find their own placements. Finding your own placement is the only way to guarantee the job of your choice. Many places of work are used to offering work experience placements and are happy to accommodate students. You may know a person at a company that you can approach. Alternatively, you can send letters/emails to companies asking for a placement. Some students have even just walked in the door and successfully asked for work experience.

It is a proven fact that students enjoy and get more out of their placement if they find a placement themselves. This might be through contacts with family and friends or by asking local businesses. Don’t be afraid to approach companies and ask for work experience. It may be that your tutor could offer some support and advice with this.

All work environments have to, by law, be Health and Safety compliant to ensure that staff are not exposed to any unnecessary risk. Any organisation must have Public Liability Insurance for under 16s. When enquiring about a placement, please check that this requirement has been met, otherwise you will not be able to attend your placement at this company. The company will need to provide the academy with their Public Liability Insurance details for us to hold on file.

Once you have secured a placement, you need to complete the ‘Work Experience Form’ linked above (printed copies can be requested at the academy reception). All sections of this form must be completed clearly and accurately. Please ensure that you include FULL contact details of the company which has offered you a placement. This must include the employer’s address (which MUST be the address where you will be working); we also need a contact name, telephone number and a brief description of the work you will be doing (e.g. admin, retail assistant, mechanic etc.).

On the form, you must include any medical conditions you have e.g. asthma. As per instructions on the form, you or your parent/carer must inform the provider of your medical needs, including any SEN, so that they can ensure you are safe.

Also, don’t forget to tell us how you intend to travel to your placement. We are not able to offer any assistance with travel expenses so you will need to check your travel details carefully.

ALL forms must be returned by the date indicated at the top of this page. This should give you plenty of time to find your placement.

All forms need to be returned to Miss Sandford in the school office. Please ensure that your form is fully completed and placed into an envelope with “Work Experience Form” written on the front.

All forms need to be returned to Miss Sandford in the school office. Please ensure that your form is fully completed and placed into an envelope with “Work Experience Form” written on the front.

Once we receive your work experience form, the placement will then be contacted to request information regarding safety and liability insurance details. Note that we cannot process any forms unless they are accompanied by written confirmation from the placement provider as proof that they are offering the placement. This must be signed and authorised by someone in a capacity at the organisation who is permitted to offer work experience placements.