Work Experience

At the Bulmershe School we send year 10 and year 12 on a week’s work experience to a placement which is within their field of interest. We believe that work experience is very important as it builds confidence, raises aspirations and allows students to practice their transferable skills.

This academic year, our Year 10s will be participating in Work Experience from the 8th - 12th July 2024. We are working alongside the Education Business Partnership [EBP] to help students find placements.

Route 1:  Students find their own placement through family or friends

Route 2: The EBP help source a placement. Students should complete an application form to request this help.

Work Experience Forms

Please use this EBP form to request the EBP help source a placement before 30th November 2023.

For those arranging their own Work Experiences, please download this Work Experience Placement Form.
Pre-printed forms can be collected from Miss Parker's office. These also need to be returned by the 30th November. If Miss Parker is not in her office, please slip completed forms under her door.

Below you will find the presentation given by the EBP in October on how they can help, and also our extremely useful Student Guide to Work Experience.

Presentation from the EBP on Work Experience Routes.

Students' Guide to Work Experience

If you have any questions please email BulmersheCareers@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Remember, all forms need to be returned to Miss Parker by Thursday, 30th November 2023!

Finding your own Work Experience

Springpod - Placements sourced via Springpod usually involve around 10 hours of activity. This will include live content, pre-recorded content and usually an element of independent working.

Barclays LifeSkills - Register for online work experience for young people aged 14-19. Includes online activities and five live sessions with Barclays employees.

HSBC Work Experience Programme - The UK Work Experience Programme is for students (Years 9-13) looking for a work experience placement with a leading global bank. The programme provides opportunities to gain some hands-on experience, develop your knowledge of banking and financial services, and explore the careers available at HSBC in the UK.

Prospects - Search for internships, volunteering, work shadowing, summer jobs and tips on how to ask employers for work experience.

Workfinder - A platform that allows you to connect to local businesses and hosts and create industry experience opportunities. The service is open to all young people but is most suited to 16–24 year olds.

Vinspired - Volunteering is a great way to meet people and help your community while helping you gain life skills, find fulfilment, learn new skills and add to your CV. This site is from the Speakers for Schools organisation founded by Robert Peston.

The NHS also offers work experience, these opportunities are usually offered via the individual hospital or trust. Brighton & Sussex Medical School provides a 'virtual' work experience for students looking to apply to medical school.

Careersdays.co.uk - Online work experience and career days for students aged 14-17.

Youth Panel - University of Reading - For students aged 14–18 who meet regularly during term time to work on a variety of exciting projects which are great for developing a range of transferable skills.

Why does work experience matter?

• Experiences of the workplace can create social capital for young people with more limited networks
• Experiences of the workplace gives students the opportunity to develop essential skills
• 8.2 per cent of people aged 16-64 in the UK today (3.4 million people in total) have never had a paid job (besides casual and holiday work) (Source: Never Ever Report 2020, Resolution Foundation)

In line with DfE guidance and Gatsby Benchmark 6 – Experiences of the Workplace:

Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.