All students in Y10 embarked on their week of work experience on 9th June. Placements varied from working in schools, restaurants, kennels and shops, to working for both local and nationally recognised companies, including Plowman Craven, Affinity Water, Howden Joinery, Cisco, Roche, Harrods Aviation, Audi and the Grand Plaza, Hyde Park! This year, we also had some students undertaking their placements abroad, in Germany, Amsterdam, Portugal and Spain. Most students (120 of them) managed to organise their own placements and the remaining students were allocated placements from a database of local employers.

The reports coming back from the employers are glowing, with many of our students being recognised for their positive attitude to work, as well as demonstrating our school values of being Ready, Respectful and Responsible. Speaking of one of our Year 10 students, JMS Powered Access said “Finley’s team had nothing but positives to say about how well he fitted into their team and has got stuck in with all his tasks. He has been hands on with lots of machinery and learned lots of new practical skills in such a short space of time.” The work experience contact at T Roberts and Son was so impressed with his work experience student that he felt compelled to write to Mr Martin to inform him that the student was the best he has ever had on work experience, over the many years that he has had students coming to work with him!

The Y10 students have also reported having a really enjoyable time on work experience and have been enthusiastic about what a beneficial experience it is. Speaking to Matilde yesterday, she stated that work experience had completely changed her outlook in a positive way, and had also given her a new perspective for her future.

Well done to all of Y10 for demonstrating our values so well during your placements. It is now time for our Y9 students to start thinking about where they might want to go for their work experience next year!