A lesson in success is being delivered at a Derby school, as pupils step into the world of work in record numbers following a major drive to strengthen careers education and employer engagement.
Almost 200 year ten students from The Bemrose School, on Uttoxeter Road, completed placements with a wide range of employers and professionals across the city during a week-long work experience programme.
The school has worked hard to develop its work experience offer, embedding it within the wider careers curriculum, strengthening links with local businesses and providing additional support for students and families. As a result, this year marked a significant milestone, with 96% of students successfully completing their full scheduled placement week.
Year 10 student Finley secured his own placement at Dirty Rock Campers and said the experience gave him a completely new perspective on working life.
He said: “I expected I might just be doing basic tasks, but I got involved in lots of different areas. I was trusted with some pretty serious tasks, making furniture for camper vans and the measurements and work is so precise – there is no room for error. I was really nervous, but when I did well, it made me feel really good.
“It was interesting watching the team and seeing not only how they do their roles but how they managed relationships with suppliers and customers.
“Working full-time hours was a shock at first, but it’s helped me understand what a normal working week feels like and what to expect in the future.
“I have always been into building things with my dad at home – like tree houses and skate ramps, but it was great to put those skills into practice and see it as a potential career.”
Building on the strong outcomes achieved last year, the latest cohort demonstrated even greater levels of engagement, commitment and professionalism in the workplace, with employers praising students for their enthusiasm, confidence and willingness to learn.
Alongside the dedicated placement week, employers regularly visit the school to support students with employability skills, including CV writing, interview preparation and workplace expectations.
Careers Lead Claire Amos said: “We have seen significant improvement over the past two years in the success of our work experience programme.
“To support this, I worked closely with parents and carers, speaking with them directly about the programme and how they can help their children prepare.
“We also organised transport for students where needed and spent time ensuring everyone understood the value and purpose of the week.
“This year the students have exceeded expectations, and we have seen some tremendous outcomes as a result.
“It’s brilliant to see the enthusiasm and confidence students show when they return, and the clear impact the experience has on their ambitions.”
A special award will be presented to students who stood out during the week at the school’s annual awards evening, which celebrates achievement and progress across the year.
Headteacher Neil Wilkinson said: “We are incredibly proud of how our students conducted themselves during work experience and the positive feedback they received from employers across the city.
“Claire Amos has worked wonders coordinating the programme and working closely with parents and carers to ensure students were fully supported throughout. The results this year have been outstanding.”
This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Sarah-Louise Elton on 01332 416228 or by email at [email protected]
