The Department for Education (DfE) definition of work experience is "A placement on employer’s premises in which a student carries out a particular task or duty, or range of tasks or duties, more or less as would an employee, but with an emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience."

During the summer term all students in Year 10 will have the opportunity to spend one week on a work experience placement. The dates for Work Experience this year will be 7th to 11th July 2025.

The aims of the work experience programme are to:

• Develop pupil employability and leadership skills

• Create enthusiasm for work and specific careers

• Develop relationships between our school, employers and pupils

Parents of Year 10 students will receive a letter and further information on work experience.  Students will also have a special assembly on work experience and tips on how to secure a placement and what to do next.

We actively encourage students to find their own placements. The benefits of students finding their own placement are that they have control over the type of work they would like to do and can practice the skills involved in applying for jobs.  It may be something they are thinking about as a career or just something they are interested in and would like to try. If students have difficulty in finding a placement, or knowing where to start, they can contact the school's Work Experience Coordinator, Mrs Edgington (eedgington@ridgewayeducation.com) or Careers Lead, Miss Morel. Please also have a look at our guide How to find a placement below.

A Loom Guide to Work Experience can be accessed here: https://www.loom.com/share/0d854629d7c04362ab48d8d0c3800672

Once a placement has been found, we ask that a form be completed by both the student's Parent and the Employer by Friday 9th May. The links to the relevant forms can be reached by accessing the forms page.

Takeover Challenge

As a school, we are keen to seek opportunities to develop our students' employability, leadership skills and resilience and believe that the more opportunities a student has to gain experience of the world of work, the better. 

The Takeover Challenge is a brilliant opportunity for students to organise three days of work experience. This opportunity is available to students in Year 9. The Takeover placement could be in a career sector that interests them or in a workplace in which they would like to gain experience - perhaps with a family member. It is a great way to learn new skills and build a career network, whilst having a really fun and memorable few days.

This year, Takeover Challenge will take part from 20th to 22nd November 2024. Parent and Employer forms need to be completed by Friday 25th October 2024. The links to the relevant forms can be reached by accessing the forms page.