Work Experience Placements
To offer students from a partner school who are a special educational needs academy, work experience placements in grounds maintenance, using hand tools and machinery appropriate to the task.
This in preparation for when they leave school and undertake apprenticeships within the sector.
Aims
To offer students and introduction to the disciplines of the workplace.
To give students experience to help them prepare for the workplace.
To increase student confidence to engage with fellow employees.
To encourage students to attain good attendance during the placement.
To help students to develop in teamworking , communication and practical skills.
To help students to develop independent working skills.
Background
A well established and ongoing relationship with The Iffley Academy (since 2018) has led to a varied programme of opportunities within and outside of the classroom. This is an extension of that programme involving the St Helen's Estates Department.
The Academy was looking for new work experience opportunities for their sixth form students, and during the Covid period outdoor work was a sensible option.
The experience has been established for a year.
Resources
Time in planning and preparation for the work experience, as it required a regular commitment from the Estates team to find tasks that were suitable and fulfilling for the students involved. The good communications that have been established between the two schools over the past five years were also vital to the management of the activity.
St Helen's Estates department staff using school tools and resources.
St Helen's Health & Safety officer.
Two students and two grounds staff once a week during term.
Impact
Feedback from the students was very positive and they asked to continue their placements after the first six week period.
Student confidence grew as the boys became more familiar with working practise and the set up.
The work experience placement has increased cohesion between the two schools.
Work experience placement is set up to continue 2022/2023
Pupil Involvement
Two sixth form students from Iffley Academy 2021/2022
One sixth form student from Iffley Academy
2022/2023
Frequency
This is an ongoing event, in six week half termly blocks throughout the academic year.
The work experience has taken place in 2021/2022, and 2022/2023.