Year 10 students at Stephen Longfellow Academy were given the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement in July 2024. Work experience supports students to gain a better understanding of a career, learn some new skills and experience the world of work.

Students were given a choice of different job sectors to choose from. The sectors offered included: Sport, Horticulture, Site Maintenance, Business and Admin, Catering, Childcare, Beauty, Motor Vehicle, Retail and Logistics and Engineering. Students were given the chance to undertake a range of activities and shadow staff members in their day to day working. Students were prepared for their work experiences in form time through a work experience PowerPoint presentation delivered in form time and then selected the areas they would like to work in.

Childcare:

For the Childcare experience, students worked in the academy’s Primary Unit and across external Gorse Trust Primary schools. Tasks included: supporting younger children in the classroom, supporting at breaks and lunches and setting up basic activities, displays and shadowing teachers.

Catering:

For the Catering experience, students worked in the academy kitchen, preparing different foods for the day and serving them.

Site Maintenance:

For the Site Maintenance experience, students shadowed the site team and undertook tasks such as replacing locks on doors, fixing shelves, tables, bookcases and setting out the main hall for parents evening.

Horticulture

For Horticulture, students worked with a member of staff to manage the new garden area and bed in new plants as well as set up the pond. Within Sport, students worked alongside PE department to set up activities and lessons for younger students.

Beauty Experience

For the Beauty experience, The Stephen Longfellow Academy worked in partnership with the Beautylicious Academy, who delivered a practical engaging Beauty experience to students on lash application using makeup heads.

Building on last year’s work experience offer, several new placements were created for students this year, such as:

  • External Childcare placements within Gorse Trust Primary Schools
  • External Retail and Logistics placement with HSS Tool Hire
  • External Motor vehicle placement with Waincliffe Motors
  • External IT and Engineering placement with Front Line Security CCTV specialists.

Site Maintenance and Beauty proved to be the most popular take ups, followed closely by Childcare and Catering. The Business Administration offer had the least number of students taking up the offer.

Some feedback from Employers:

“I would like to say congratulations to all students, who did well, but want to give Connor a special mention. Simply for his excellent performance during his work experience. He listened attentively to instructions and completed all tasks assigned to him with enthusiasm. Additionally, he demonstrated great dedication.” Matty Sanderson – Catering Manager

“Students were helpful and engaged well in the garage. They mostly helped Gary in the Mot Bay, helping with diagnostics but also ordered parts and helped me with the scrap metal service.” Mannie – Manager (Waincliffe Motors)

“ The young ladies at Steven Longfellow’s school exhibited exceptional behaviour and displayed impressive skills carrying out classic lash extensions. Their attentive listening skills and meticulous attention to detail resulted in the creation of fantastic lash application. I am incredibly proud of their performance, as the atmosphere was serene and relaxing throughout the process. Each one of them should take great pride in their accomplishments and I am providing a certificate for each of them, that they can treasure and look back at and show them they are truly amazing young ladies.” Sinead Garside Owner & Trainer (Beautician Academy)

Feedback taken from students was positive, comments included:

  • “Got to experience what it’s like to work.” LJO (Childcare)
  • “I maybe want to work in a restaurant now” ASE (Catering)
  • “I want to do this again!” SHA (Beauty)
  • “I enjoyed working with the site team and fixing shelves.” RNI (Site Maintenance)

Every student who engaged in work experience was provided a certificate to acknowledge their engagement. The Careers department will support all students to add the recent work experience to student CV’s in Year 11.

The work experience offer was a very positive programme for Year 10 students. All the students who engaged demonstrated positive behaviour, which was mentioned in most of the staff feedback. Students clearly benefited from the experiences and built confidence and skills for the future. Across the week there were 28 successful placements with 58% of all Year 10 undertaking a placement within work experience week.

From student feedback, several students said they would like a longer duration of experience, which we will take on board for the next academic year and aim to increase the offer over a longer duration of up to 3 days for most students. For many students the placements have helped them make informed decisions about their future options.