A Guide for Parents

You can download the following information here

Year 10 Work Experience Programme - 5th – 16th July 2010

During the summer term pupils will be following a planned programme of study, which is designed to help them prepare for, plan, undertake and evaluate their whole work experience week. I hope the following information regarding the work experience process will be helpful. For your convenience I have arranged the information under certain headings.

Work experience is an educational activity, which increases the pupils’ awareness of the real world of work.

As part of my new role, I will be co-ordinating the work experience programme this year and I will be happy to answers any queries or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact me via the school office on 01200 441374, or alternatively you can send me an email hdakin@bowlandhigh.lancs.sch.uk

The Aims of Work Experience are:

• To provide an experience of the real world of work.
• To help pupils understand and develop the key skills and personal qualities which are sought by employers in a work environment.
• To ensure that our pupils are well prepared for the adult working environment.
• To help students understand the relevance of school to future work and learning.
• To improve the employability of the pupils.
• To help pupils make informed decisions about their future careers.
• To develop maturity and self-confidence.

The Key Learning Outcomes

Pupils will be presented with many learning opportunities throughout their placement. In addition, they will be able to:

• Identify, understand, develop and assess the key skills and attitudes they need to survive in the world of work.
• Identify differences between school and the world of work.
• Identify and understand the importance of Health and Safety issues.
• Write a letter of application.
• Improve their interview technique, and attend interview
• Understand the concept of Equal Opportunities.

How Are Work Experience Placements Arranged?

Bowland work closely with Lancashire Education Business Partnership (LEBP) who co-ordinate work experience, and provide a list of approved placements, reflecting the variety of local opportunities. The school helps pupils select a placement and prepare them for it.

Students may also secure their own private placements within specialised workplaces, pupils have been issued with a ‘self placement’ form to complete in this instance.

Please note that there will be a cost for placements located outside the Lancashire area of approximately £20.

It is very important to note that private placements may not be guaranteed for several reasons, including Health and Safety, police records, or an inappropriate work place. All private placements must

undergo Health and Safety checks. It will be at the discretion of the school and the LEBP to decide which private placements will be used.

Allocation of Placements

A list of work placements provided by the LEBP has been available in Y10 form rooms, and a copy can be viewed on the Bowland website, under work experience. I will be available to discuss placements with pupils at break and lunchtime.

Pupils will be asked to select three areas of work and rank them. We will endeavour to provide the pupils with one of their choices. If a pupil does not get a placement of their choice, the school will do its utmost to match the pupil with an alternative suitable placement.

Placement Information

Once placements have been allocated, pupils will receive a placement sheet outlining important information about the placement – contact name, hours of work, lunchtimes, special clothing etc.

Health and Safety

ONLY PLACEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY CAN BE USED

It is the responsibility of the Work Experience team of the LEBP to ensure that the mandatory Health and Safety requirements are met. Children are seen as being particularly at risk because of their inexperience and immaturity. Understandably, schools are required to exercise a duty of care when students are in school or taking part in school activities like Work Experience. Additionally, risk assessments of all placements have to be undertaken and results notified to parents.

As part of the PHSE programme involving planning for Work Experience, pupils will be given information and activities designed to increase their awareness of the importance of Health and Safety within the workplace. Staff visiting pupils on Work Experience will also be checking the placements to see if the pupil is working in a safe environment.

Insurance

It is the responsibility of the placement provider to cover any insurance matter. The employer will be covered through their Employers Liability Cover and their Public Liability Cover. Whilst carrying out the Health and Safety checks, LEBP ensures that the employer has the necessary insurance cover.

Health and Medical

It is important that the school and employers are aware of any health or medical issues, which may affect the pupil during their placement.

School Tasks

Year 10 pupils are currently undertaking a planned programme of study within the PSHE programme in order to prepare for their work experience placement. During the placement, pupils will be expected to complete a diary, recording their learning experience. On their return to school, pupils will undergo a full debrief of the week, sharing their experiences with others and evaluating the learning outcomes.

Travel To and From the Placement

Pupils will be expected to cover their own travelling expenses.

Pay

No payment should be made. The Work Experience programme is part of the pupil’s education and does not constitute employment. Any payment invalidates the insurance cover.

Hours

Pupils will be expected to fit in with the general hours of work at their placement.

Behaviour

The very highest standard of behaviour from our pupils is expected at all times during their placement.

Timekeeping And Attendance

Pupils should attend for the whole week and should arrive punctually each day for work. The employer and the school must be notified of any absence; otherwise this will be noted in the register as unauthorized absence.

Dress/Special Clothing

Pupils are expected to dress appropriately for the environment in which they are working. Information about dress code, or special/protective clothing for Health and Safety purposes, will be included in the details provided by the employer on the placement sheet.