Careers WEX

Work Experience

Work experience and shadowing

Work Related Learning is a well-established and valuable part of the academy curriculum. Workplace Experiences is one of the most effective ways we have of introducing students to the opportunities that await in the workplace. Workplace experiences enables students to enhance and focus their learning as they move through Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 towards adulthood. They allow students to explore potential career choices in a structured way and enables development of essential skills such as communicating with people who are not their peers outside of the academy environment, writing letters/emails of application, writing CVs, attending interviews, planning transport and meal arrangements. All of which are essential skills in the fast moving world of work.

  • We are currently working towards all Key Stage 3 students having a minimum or 5 days meaningful workplace experiences/activities during their time in years 7, 8 and 9. In this way they will build confidence, develop employability skills, understand workplace behaviours and become more knowledgeable of the different types of Careers and pathways open to them
  • All year 10 students will have the opportunity to organise for themselves a weeks work experience. This can be in one place for a week or can be in different workplaces over one or more days. Some workplace experiences will be organised by NEW Academy and if on an actual visit they students will be accompanied by a member of Academy staff and parental/career permission must be given.
  • All year 12 students will participate in a face-to-face work experience. We also encourage all students to take part in a virtual work experience that will usually occur during their own time in the Academy holidays

To maximise the chances of securing a placement, year 10 and 12 students may arrange their work experience for any time of the year, provided it does not clash with school commitments such as mock examinations. Students must first obtain agreement from a workplace to host their placement. The details should then be entered on Unifrog under the ‘Placements’ section, ideally at least six weeks before the placement start date. (Tutors will explain this process to students.) Once the placement is submitted, the employer will be contacted to provide copies of their insurance and relevant risk assessments, which will be checked by NEW Academy. Parents and carers will then receive an email requesting consent for their child to attend the placement.

We ask that year 12 parents/carer support their child through this process encouraging them to find suitable placements through their own network of contacts.

 Futures for All