Year 10 Work Experience Report
Year 10 completed a week of work experience just before the May half term. Approximately 140 students went on a placement that they had arranged themselves with a wide range of employers including:
Marks and Spencer, Subway, HM Government (Civil Service) Ashleigh Nursery, Lancashire Constabulary, Cats Protection League, Eric Wright Construction, Rascals Party and Play Centre, Eddie Stobart, UCLAN, Brookfield Equestrian Centre, Penwortham Pharmacy and Studio 28.
Many of these placements were arranged and facilitated by parents and I’m very grateful for the support they provided.
Another group of students completed a series of virtual placements with Adecco, FineToothComb and National Nuclear Laboratories. Several more of our students returned to their old primary schools to see what education is like from ‘the other side’!
Work Experience is a vital opportunity for students to develop new skills and be pushed out of their comfort zone. Here are some of our students thoughts before they went out on their placement:
“I am excited to face new set of challenges and being more independent.”
“I’m hoping to become more confident speaking to people I don’t know.”
“I am looking forward to helping others and being in a new environment.”
“I know that work is a lot different to school, and whilst some of the skills like time management are needed in both, I’m looking forward to developing some of my weaker skills like communication.”
“I am looking forward to seeing if this is something I would like to do in the future! I am hoping to develop my communication skills and my ability to work as part of team.”
“It will be different to a normal school day structure and interesting to see how a day is different in a work place.”
So one week later, what had our Year 10s learnt about the workplace and themselves?
Here are just some of their reflections:
“Now that I have had a taste of work life, I will never say to my mum that working is easier than school!”
“I have learnt how important it is to have certain skills for certain jobs especially having the skill of patience and resilience.”
“The people that I have been working with have been amazing and truly made me feel comfortable and a part of the team.”
“I loved this experience as we got to feel like adults for a whole week.”
“I think doing the work experience online has been very effective.”
“It was surprisingly fun and I have learned to be more patient with other people.”
“I believe work experience has helped my confidence a lot and has set my standards higher.”
“Work experience has definitely not put me off being a criminal lawyer or prison law solicitor. I loved it.”
“I feel sad that I’m no longer going to work there. I really enjoyed it.”
“Overall, this week of work experience helped me gain confidence, responsibility, appreciation for small companies and how to work in a team.”
The feedback from the employers was glowing, with students being described as:
“A huge asset”
“Professional at all times”
“A* from us!”
“An excellent member of the team.”
“A credit to herself and the school.”
“There is a job waiting here for her!”
“We would love to see her again.”
“Intuitive and confident.”
I’m really proud of all our Year 10 students for making such a success of work experience and for being excellent ambassadors for PGHS.
Mr Ramsdale
Senior Assistant Headteacher
