With many employers frequently listing experience as the top requirement when recruiting, work placements have become an increasingly popular way for people to take their first step on the career ladder. So every year Gad’s Hill School packs off its L5th (Year 10) pupils for a week’s worth of experience across a range of industries.
We understand the importance of experience and that, in some instances, it can prove to be a deciding factor for some employers when recruiting new members of staff. There’s also no substitute for pupils to get first-hand experience while they’re still in education, and the week away in the workplace can often help spark a career interest or simply provide an opportunity to see what employment is like.
From accountancy and adventure centres to teaching and veterinary care; the pupils gain valuable insight into the world of work, meeting new people, and developing a sense of responsibility. They are also able to consider their post-16 options more realistically and discover the qualifications and pathways required for them to reach their career goal.
Supplementing work experience week, careers education is enhanced through our innovative Student Careers Team, who take on much of the responsibility for providing quality careers information for students.
They meet regularly to review and plan for careers provision throughout the school. The careers team achieve this by resourcing and giving students access to the newly acquired Careers Resource Room and Library, by carrying out school-wide careers consultations, and maintaining careers-related displays around the school.
Pupils are also given the opportunity to attend a county-wide careers fair to gather further information about their options as well as a specialist Key Stage 5 event for our U5th (year 11) pupils to help them move on to their next place of education.
