Invariably a work placement proves to be a powerful and sometimes a pivotal experience, opening eyes and minds to career opportunities and paving the way towards future goals and aspirations. Most importantly, it inspires confidence and reassures students that they have, or can readily develop, skills that employers need.
St. Aidan’s has excellent links with local business and organisations and is an active and long-standing member of the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce and other business networking groups.
Virtual Work Experience
Many companies have developed some excellent Virtual Work Experience opportunities which have proved so effective that the format is most definitely here to stay. Professionals working with some of the UK’s largest companies and nationally recognised organisations have devised engaging and insightful online work experience opportunities. This has provided students with opportunities that ordinarily they may not have had access too.
Speakers for Schools and Springpod have emerged as brokers of very high quality virtual opportunities and many of our students have benefitted hugely from taking part in their programmes – read some of their testimonials here.
Year 11
We strongly promote our annual Year 11 Work Experience Programme and encourage students to use their own networks or proactive research techniques to secure a placement in specified weeks at the end of the summer term. In addition, a combination of one-to-one help and advice via lunchtime drop in workshops, plus access to a comprehensive work experience database ensures around 200 successful opportunities each year. Please contact the Careers Department or Mrs Farrar for further information.
Year 11 Work Experience Parents Information Letter 2023-2024
Work Experience Handbook 2023-2024
Year 11 Work Experience Placement Form 2023- 24
Year 12 and 13
Sixth Form students may be authorised to take part in work experience of up to 5 days during an appropriate time within the academic year. This can be either virtual or in person.
Individual verification and safeguarding checks will be made by the school requiring at least 2 weeks’ notice be given before any placement is due to commence. In Person and Virtual Work Experience flow charts show step by step arrangements for organising placements.
Giving at least 2 weeks’ notice students should:
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Seek permission from their Senior Tutor in the first instance – approval will be dependent on the student’s attendance record and work ethic.
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Politely inform subject teachers of absences and obtain catch up schoolwork as necessary.
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Ensure a parent or carer sends an email to the Sixth Form Attendance Officer confirming dates and placement details:
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St. Aidan’s: attendance6thform@staidans.co.uk
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St John Fisher: Attendance6thform@sjfchs.org.uk
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For In Person placements – request the link to the online Work Experience Form from Mrs Farrar, m.farrar@staidans.co.uk or Careers careersstaff@staidans.co.uk, providing:
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Placement dates
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Company name and contact details
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Contact name
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Employers Liability Insurance details
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For workplace ‘in person’ placements, parents and students will be notified by school once satisfactory Health and Safety checks have been made. The list of Current Virtual Placement Opportunities is extensive and updated regularly. Year 12 and 13 students can also look at further opportunities on this document: Super Curricular Engagement for Post 18 Applications
Please contact Mrs Farrar if you have any further questions or concerns about work experience.
