Intent

At Thornden, Work Experience is a key part of our Careers and Personal Development provision. Our aim is to ensure that all students develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to make informed decisions about their future pathways.

We intend for all students to:

• Experience the expectations and realities of the workplace
• Develop independence, resilience, and professionalism
• Build confidence in communication and organisation
• Make informed choices about post-16 education, training, and careers

Work Experience forms part of a carefully sequenced careers programme, supporting our wider school ethos of Belong, Care, Aspire, and ensuring all students are well prepared for life beyond school.

Implementation

All students in Year 11 take part in a dedicated Work Experience week, typically in the first week of the summer term.

Preparation begins in Year 10, where students are supported through:

• Guidance on sourcing placements independently
• Writing CVs, personal statements, and professional emails
• Understanding workplace expectations, conduct, and safeguarding
• Developing communication and organisational skills

Students are encouraged to take ownership of securing a placement that reflects their interests and aspirations, with structured support from school throughout the process.

We work with a wide range of local and national employers across sectors including healthcare, education, engineering, business, and the creative industries. This ensures a broad and meaningful offer for all students.

All placements are subject to rigorous safeguarding and health and safety checks, carried out in partnership with our external providers, ensuring that every placement is safe, appropriate, and supportive.

Our Work Experience programme is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, in particular:

• Benchmark 6 – Experiences of Workplaces
• Benchmark 5 – Encounters with Employers and Employees
• Benchmark 3 – Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
• Benchmark 4 – Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers

Impact

Work Experience is consistently a highly valued part of students’ time at Thornden and has a clear and measurable impact.

Students develop:

• Greater confidence and independence
• Stronger communication and employability skills
• A clearer understanding of workplace expectations
• Increased readiness for post-16 pathways

Student voice highlights the impact of the programme:

“It helped me think about what I want to do in the future and gave me real experience of a workplace.”

“I enjoyed being treated like an adult and having real responsibilities.”

“It made me more confident speaking to new people.”

“I learnt how to organise myself and manage my time.”

“It showed me what that job is really like, which helped me think about my next steps.”

For many students, Work Experience confirms career aspirations. For others, it provides equally valuable insight into different pathways, supporting more informed and confident decision-making.

Overall, Work Experience is a key milestone in preparing students for adulthood, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that all students leave Thornden ready to aspire, achieve, and succeed.