Work Experience Policy

WORK EXPERIENCE POLICY PRINCIPLES
All students in their final two years of compulsory schooling are eligible to go on work experience. Currently in Springfield this occurs for two weeks towards the end of the Summer term of Year 10.

Work experience can contribute to an individuals development by :-

• Increasing motivation to study.
• Clarifying the relationship between the curriculum and the outside world.
• Being part of coursework (e.g. English, drama) and school leaver Records of achievement. (Currently under review).

On a few occasions it is felt that some individual students may benefit from a period of extended work experience. These pupils are considered individually, in consultation with parents and the school Senior Management Team.

PURPOSES
• To give students an understanding of why public and private organisations are important for the wealth and welfare of the country and to discover how they are organised.
• To give students an insight into the changing nature of work; and the current and prospective local labour market situation.
• To give students an opportunity to gain first hand experience of typical working conditions, including health and safety, employer expectations and the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees.
• For students to gain an understanding of adult working relationships and to develop a sense of responsibility.
• To help students discover a sense of their own skills, talents, interests and aspirations within the context of work.
• To help students explore the link between school and the key skills which are needed in working life.
• To give students a chance to find out at first hand about jobs and careers.
• To give students a chance to experience an interview situation and to review their own personal presentation skills.

PRACTICE

Organisation
Project Trident is a national charitable organisation which encourages students to undertake their three part challenge:-

1. To undertake a two week Work Experience placement.
2. To undertake a Personal Challenge.
3. To undertake a Community Service.

Springfield School as with most other schools in Portsmouth and Hampshire makes use of the central co-ordinating work experience provider, Project Trident. This organisation, has the knowledge and time required to arrange visits with employers to set up work experience placements. Project Trident hold a database of employers who have been satisfactorily checked with regard to the nature of the work experience being offered, also that relevant insurance is in place and that relevant Health and Safety legislation is adhered to. This Database is regularly updated and employers on it are checked on a regular basis.

The Careers Co-ordinator is in contact with Project Trident throughout the year. Annually discussions are held with project Trident regarding the previous years arrangements and placement; adjustments to timings, procedures and placements offered are made accordingly.

EMPLOYERS
Employers have a vital part to play in ensuring that placements provide students with a realistic and worthwhile experience of working life.

Employers are asked to :-

• Identify a member of staff to have overall responsibility for the student’s progress and welfare.
• Provide students with information they require, including Health and Safety.
• Discuss progress with the student.
• Keep a record of attendance and punctuality.
• Complete brief reports on the student at the end of the experience.
• Contact Springfield School immediately in case of any problem or query.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL STAFF

Careers Co-ordinator:-

• Manage and organise the work experience programme for KS4 students.
• To ensure that the aims and objectives of work experience are communicated to parents, students, employers and Springfield School staff and governors.
• To liaise regularly with Project Trident and other relevant outside agencies regarding timings and organisational arrangements.
• To liaise with pastoral teams and SENCO regarding identification of students with unique needs.
• To arrange Mock interview preparation for students in advance of Work Experience.
• To ensure tutors and pastoral team are aware of all relevant information regarding timings of events and the process that their tutees will be going through.

All Staff:-

• To arrange to visit a number of students in relation to the number of “freed” teaching time created,
• To write a brief report about the progress of the student and give this to the Careers Co-ordinator.
• To report any perceived problems with the placement / student to the Careers Co-ordinator immediately.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT
The student’s status is that of a young employee. The student should:-
• Be told the organisations rules and be expected to abide by them.
• Be made aware of the responsibilities regarding attendance, appearance, timekeeping and safety.
• Be prepared to check on travel arrangements before making initial choices.
• Be prepared to work the hours specified on the job description.
• In case of absence from work experience placement, to inform the employer and the Careers Co-ordinator at Springfield School straight away.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT ISSUES

It is a normal requirement that Employers Liability and Public Liability Insurance should cover students on Work Experience. Project Trident as a part of their normal vetting process of students’s placements check that these insurances are in place.

NB. Any arrangement negotiated between student and employer to work on Saturday or Sunday falls outside of the responsibility placed on the school and the LEA.

In the event of an accident the Careers Co-ordinator would ensure that Project Trident would be informed and would comply with the school and LEA accident procedures and reporting systems.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
• Work Experience is integrated into the curriculum and learning progression is planned.
• Efficient and effective Work Experience administration is in place, based on close liaison with employers and Project Trident. Agreed deadlines are met within a planned schedule and the roles and responsibilities of each partner are clearly defined and communicated to all concerned.
• Employers are informed about relevant factors affecting students.
• All participants are well briefed on health and safety issues.
• Springfield School follows local authority guidelines and approval has been granted for student placements.
• Students receive guidance on their choice of placement which promotes equal opportunities, and prepares them for the work environment.
• Students receive guidance on appropriate behaviour, dress and their responsibilities in the workplace.
• Students learning from work experience is recorded and where possible, confirmed and endorsed by employers.

TIMETABLE

January
• Trident process launched via Year 10 assembly.
• Letters to parents.
• Booking forms and job database selection booklets to Tutors. (To be completed by mid March).
• Booking forms for both private placements and job database choices sent to Project Trident.

April
• Mock interviews

Summer Term
• Placement forms received from Project Trident.
• Students not matched are helped to choose further.
• Employer interviews take place.
• Final blue “contract” forms returned to Careers Co-ordinator and in turn forwarded to Project Trident.
• Placement listings received from Project Trident and posted in staff room.
• Staff sign up for student visits, reports written and passed to Careers Co-ordinator.
• Debriefing of students upon return to school.

Autumn Term
• Work Experience certificates received from Project Trident and forwarded to Students for inclusion in NROA / Profile documentation.

Review Date: Spring 2007

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