Why?

There are many activities and experiences that a student can engage in to make them a more ‘rounded’ applicant. However, relevant work experience is increasingly viewed as an essential part of any good application for higher education and the world of work. For candidates equally good on paper applying for courses / jobs, it could well be the work experience which tips the balance in favour of one candidate over the other. This is the case more than ever nowadays given the greater competition for places in higher education and for the job market. Students who plan to go into medicine, dentistry, teaching or veterinary science have already been advised to secure some form of regular work experience because of the importance given to this in university applications and interviews.

We hope undertaking work experience will allow students to gain greater self-confidence and maturity in preparation for work or further study. Work experience also acts as a ‘check’ to ensure the university course they are considering is relevant and also acts as motivation to achieve in their A level subjects. Work experience should form a substantial part of any personal statement or application.

How to arrange a placement?

Follow this link for a comprehensive guide to the work experience process in year 12.

Do I have to do it?

In short, YES, we expect all Year 12 to take on a minimum of 10 days work experience.  

When?  

The most FAQ we get is 'when can I do it?'  The answer is:

* Monday 14th July to Friday 18th July 2025

* Monday 23rd June to Friday 27th June 2025 ( the Year 12 consolidation week - please bear in mind TEFL and DofE normally take place during this week)

* Any school holiday from the start of year 12

* 5 further days can be requested during term time for a “high quality and meaningful” placement.

Very importantly, try to get away from thinking of work experience as a block of one week at a time.  Try to get individual days (eg a set of 3 consecutive Wednesdays in a primary school, as someone in Y12 is doing), or 2 or 3 day spells...and variety.

Students are encouraged to find their own placements and the school will give them guidance as to how to do so.

Term Time Placements

You will use UNIFROG to record your intended placements and Unifrog will then contact all the necessary parties for their information and consent. 

What is the UNIFROG Placements tool?

It is a series of forms that lets schools check that the employer has the necessary insurance and policies in place. It gives employers guidance to help them run a great placement, makes sure that their insurance and policies are all appropriate, and it makes it easy for a parent / guardian to agree to the placement

After the placement?

On completion of their work experience, students may like to ask the employer to produce a short testimonial which they can give their tutor in order to inform the reference-writing process for UCAS or a future employer.

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For any further information on work experience please contact d.perry@alcestergs.com