The first step is to start thinking about the type of work experience you would like and the employers that may be able to offer you placements.

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1 Work Experience 11 th 15 th July 2016 Introduction to Work Experience Even though you are not due to go out on placement until July 2016, it s never too soon to start thinking about Work Experience. Popular places fill up very quickly and West Exe is one of many schools out at this time, so the sooner you decide what you would like to do the better. For example one student in 2015 wrote letters during the summer holidays and was offered 13 different placements. Remember DON T PANIC! It may seem scary to think about going out into the workplace, but this is a really valuable and exciting experience and if organised properly should go off without a hitch. The first step is to start thinking about the type of work experience you would like and the employers that may be able to offer you placements. If you know, for instance, that you would like to be a builder or a hairdresser you can look on or Google to find local companies that you may like to apply to. You can also speak to your parents, teachers, other family members, they have lots of experience and may have contacts or ideas they can share with you. In tutor period you will be given time to research the type of placement you would like and you will also have the opportunity to write letters to prospective placements. But do take some time over the summer holidays to think about what you would like to do (or even get writing if you know who you want to contact). It is really important that students apply for work experience themselves as most employers do require this, some will also interview students before taking them on work experience to ensure that they really have an interest in the business. Mrs Rice (Work Related Learning Administrator) (in G106- Student Service) is available to give guidance on work experience, but is not responsible for finding placements for students. You can also use Veryan Webview, this is an online service which details businesses that have taken students in the past (please note however this is used by schools, colleges and universities, in some cases they may not

2 take students under the age of 16, also companies do change their policies on work experience from time to time, just because they are on Veryan does not mean they will be able to offer a placement). You will be able to access Veryan at school or from home if you have Internet access. Enter web address - Click on student and you will be taken to the log on page. Choose West Exe School from the drop down list submit. Under name enter: West Exe Student Pin Number is: 1637 You are now on the student home page select SEARCH. On this page you can choose various criteria to narrow down your search, you can choose specific job areas, or if you know the company name you would like to try, you can enter this. If you know that you want to restrict your search to the Exeter area, put Exeter in the Town/area box. Once you have entered your search criteria click on SEARCH. When you have found a placement that interests you, click on VIEW to see further details. This will give you contact details and a generic job description. Please consider the following:- 1. What type of placement do you want? 2. Are you prepared to travel? If you are it opens up more opportunities, if you only want to go within a couple of miles of home, you are really limiting your options. 3. If you don t manage to find a placement doing your first choice make sure you have alternatives. 4. Be realistic about what opportunities can be offered to school age children. For example GP s and nurses can t let you sit in on a surgery. Solicitors mainly work with University students.

3 5. Please note any business taking a student on work experience MUST have Employer and Public Liability insurance. Act quickly if you are considering a placement in the following companies:- 1. Crealy Park Ask Mrs Rice for an application form 2. Flybe (details of how to apply are on their website) 3. The MET Office (only accept Online Applications, please check their Website for details). 4. Oakland Stables Only except students who have had experience with horses. Other limited placements are:- Media (TV & Radio) Construction Medical Graphic Design Working with Animals Photography Law Dance Retail Accounting Theatre Police If you think you would like a placement in one of these, make sure you write and send you letters quickly. The Work Experience Time Line Date Action Complete September You will have time during tutor to research and write letters. Keep a note of all the places you have written to. By Half Term If you have had no response, phone the companies you have written to, it doesn t hurt to look keen. ASAP If you are turned down for a placement don t feel rejected, it s not personal, Look for alternatives as soon as possible. By end of February 2016 By April 25 th 2016 If you have a placement that is not local you need to make sure Mrs Rice knows by the end of February, this will give plenty of time for the placement to be Health & Safety checked. DEADLINE - All other placements must be arranged by this date. 11 th July 2016 Work Experience Begins

4 Things to remember 1. This is your work experience DON T choose something because your friends are doing it DO IT because it s what you want to do. 2. The majority of businesses only offer placements to one student at a time. 3. It is up to you to find a placement, we can help, but you must write letters/or make phone calls, it is all part of the experience and the most successful placements are those that students have arranged themselves. Feedback from employers shows that they want the student to get in touch. 4. Try to have lots of options don t limit your choices to only one profession. 5. Any experience is better than none. 6. Be prepared to try something new. 7. DO NOT leave it till the last minute. Ask for help sooner rather than later. 8. Most primary schools WILL NOT take ex pupils. 9. AS SOON as you have a placement, let Mrs Rice know. Other information Please see page 7 for a copy of the Work Experience Model Letter, a copy of which can be found on the R drive R:\Departments\work experience. There are also a couple of sample letters on the R drive to give you an idea of what your letter should look like. These can also be found on the website under Curriculum Work Experience The NHS usually offers a work observation week, it is limited to 2/3 places per school. The NHS always requires you to complete a formal application and an interview and only students with a strong interest in a career in the NHS should apply. Because students are under 16, they are not able to enter patient areas, whilst this is still a worthwhile and interesting placement this is something you should be aware of. As soon as we have details they will be ed to tutors.

5 The Army do offer work experience but this is not always at the same time as West Exe. Please let Mrs Rice know if you are interested in a week with the Army and she can check the dates. We are currently unable to offer work experience with the Marines. What Happens Next - generally employers let the school know if they can offer you a placement because you should give the school as your contact address. Mrs Rice will then inform your form tutor who will pass the good news on to you. However, if you have arranged the placement through a personal contact, or given your home address the employer will let you know. It is then your responsibility to let Mrs Rice know straight away so that the necessary paperwork can be sent and Health & Safety checks can be carried out. Employers are asked to complete and risk assessment form which includes the following information:- 1. Contact name 2. Start time 3. What to wear 4. Lunch arrangement A copy of this form will be given to you closer to work experience. Very Important 1. Make sure you know how you are going to get to your placement. (The school cannot pay for transport). 2. Within reason, employers can state the hours they want you to work. 3. No payment is made for Work Experience. 4. If your placement requires you to have PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) e.g. a builder may require you to have steel toecap boots, the school is unable to provide funding for these items. 5. If you are sick you, must phone the employer and school to let them know.

6 6. If you are worried about anything, contact Mrs Rice on Ext During work experience, where possible someone from school will visit you at your placement. If your placement is not local, then this will be done over the phone. REMEMBER - Whilst in an ideal world every placement would be exciting, the real fact is that sometimes you will be asked to do things that you might consider boring. For example, if you go to a hairdresser you can expect to spend a lot of time sweeping floors and making coffee, if you go with an electrician you will mainly be observing what they do. Bear this in mind when choosing where to go. But also REMEMBER, if you look keen and ask for jobs to do, you will get far more from your placement and it will certainly impress your employer. Lots of our students have been offered jobs from doing well in their placements and even if this is not the case, they have gained valuable experience and something to put on their CV. West Exe relies very much on the goodwill and support of local employers, the feedback in the past has been positive and they have been impressed with the attitude and behaviour of our students. This year it is up to you to carry on the great work and make employers want to take West Exe School students above other schools. GOOD LUCK - ENJOY

7 Model Letter for Work Experience Applications This is just an idea of how you could set out a suitable letter You do not have to follow this exactly, make it personal to you. West Exe School Hatherleigh Road Exeter EX2 9JU Tel: (01392) Fax: (01392) Employer s Name and Address Date Dear (put name if you know it or Sir/Madam if you don t) Re: Work Experience Programme 11 th 15 th July 2016 I am a student in Year 10 at West Exe School. As part of our curriculum we are expected to complete a week s Work Experience. I am writing to see if it would be possible for me to spend a week with your company/organisation/school (amend as appropriate). The reason that I would like to have this opportunity is (explain a bit about yourself for example your hobbies, subjects you are studying etc. and why you would like the opportunity to work in their company). I would be grateful if you could complete the enclosed form and return it to Mrs Rice. (A supply of these forms will be given to your tutor/or you can get one from Mrs Rice, they will also be on the website and R: drive. Please DO NOT forget to include the form!) Alternatively, contact her by telephone ( Ext. 163) or srice@westexetc.devon.sch.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely (if you put Dear Sir/Madam) (for Mr or Mrs [Name]) Sign your Name Print or type your name neatly underneath. Enc

8 Example of a good letter of application West Exe School Hatherleigh Road Exeter EX2 9JU Tel: (01392) Fax: (01392) South West England RSPB Regional Office Keble House Southernhay Gardens Exeter Devon EX1 1NT Dear Sir or Madam, Re: Work Experience Programme 11 th 15 th July 2016 I am a student in Year 10 at West Exe School. As part of our curriculum we are expected to complete a week s Work Experience. I am writing to see if it would be possible for me to spend a week with your organisation. The reason that I would like to have this opportunity is that I would like to steer my career towards conservation, and working with the environment to preserve it for future generations. I feel that protecting the environment has never been more important, with the threat of climate change, expanding cities, and the decrease habitats for our wildlife. We as a human race are to blame for the mess and destruction, and I believe that we should do everything in our power to support the wildlife and repair the damage. I am a junior member of the RSPB, and receive the Birdlife and Wingbeat magazines. I have raised money for your Albatross, Rainham Marshes and Sumatran appeals, and I have been lucky enough to have a letter published in a Wingbeat edition. I have been advised by Derek Niemann, the editor of Birdlife to spend the weeks with your South West Headquarters if at all possible. Birds are a big part of my life, and their population reflects the health of our planet. I enjoy spending a morning at Bowling Green Marshes, watching the widgeons and waders. For me, it is a really good place to observe the change in behaviour through out the seasons. I also enjoy writing, be it reports, stories or research. The RSPB motto is : For birds, for people, for ever. We can make a difference, and I would love to be part of it. I would be grateful if you could complete the enclosed form and return it to Mrs Rice. Alternatively, contact her by telephone ( Ext. 163) or srice@westexe.devon.sch.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully

9 Example of a good letter of application West Exe School Hatherleigh Road Exeter EX2 9JU Tel: (01392) Fax: (01392) Date Dear Re: Work Experience Programme 11 th 15 th July 2016 I am a student in Year 10 at West Exe School. As part of our curriculum we are expected to complete a week s Work Experience. I am writing to see if it would be possible for me to spend a week at your school. The reason that I would like to have this opportunity is that for most of my life, ever since attending primary school, I have wanted to be a teacher. I believe working in a primary school that that has a brilliant family community within the school, can give me the experience and training that one day, I hope to give to others. I try to make the most of every opportunity I have been given, becoming a proud member of JB², playing my flute for 3 years and once performing at your school. Last year, I became a proud Student Mentor helping Year 6 s with the scary transition from Primary to High School. I love working with children, often helping in at Little Saint s Pre-School with my mum and playing to Primary Schools with JB² teaching them about the joys of music, and where it can take you. This could be a great learning experience for me and I hope you can give me the opportunity to take this experience to my possible future career. I would be grateful if you could complete the enclosed form and return it to Mrs Rice. Alternatively, contact her by telephone ( Ext. 163) or srice@westexe.devon.sch.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely

10 Places I have contacted use this space to make a note of all the placements you have contacted.

11 Company Name Address Contact name Telephone number Date letter sent Notes:

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