Gatsby benchmark 6

Every student will have experiences of the workplace through work experience placements and workplace visits.  These add to their Extraordinary Experiences to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.

Work place visits can happen on many of our trips and give our students the opportunity to find out more about the world of work, as well as how employees represent themselves.  We encourage our students to look for positive traits that they feel would boost their success through emulation.  For example, how an employee responds to a challenging customer with altruism, integrity and respect.

Work experience weeks occur in Year 10 and Year 12.  Students can engage in additional work experience placements through their vocational courses, and if the opportunity arises for them.  We run our work experience weeks with the support of Cornwall Council and the Education Business Partnership.  They provide health and safety checks on all of our placements.  Guidance for employers, parents/carers and students can be found: Work Experience – Cornwall Council

In Year 10 we thoroughly coach our students on how to secure a placement, including practising how to network, communicating with employers via letter, email, telephone and in person.  Pre-covid 100% of the year group would attend work experience placements.  As restrictions are lifted the same will apply to 2022’s Year 10.

Previous placements have included: