Work experience is an important part of the school’s educational programme.  There are a number of benefits for pupils, which include:

• An insight into the world of work, its disciplines and challenges.
• The experience should enhance students’ present studies and widen personal development and social skills.
• The chance to develop confidence and independence.
• The experience should help direct the pupils into thinking toward their own future.

Summer 2024 saw pupils working with a wide variety of employers, read on to discover the fantastic feedback from all the employers!

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Salon Assistant - The Cutting Room

‘Extremely polite, punctual and hard working. Happy to be given tasks and learned to work independently. She has had a really good week at The Cutting Room’

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Peacocks Deli – Green Grocer and Delicatessen Assistant

‘Very pleasant, polite, respectful and a pleasure to work with. Very keen to help us with all our many tasks in the shop – including pricing stock, stacking shelves, assisting with all the tidying, presentation of stock and recycling tasks’.

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Gardening Assistant at Rumble Garden Maintenance

‘Worked really well this week at work. He communicated very well with the clients and shows a lot of interest in learning new skills’.

Mrs Whitby also received an email from one of the very happy clients:

‘spent a day here yesterday on Work Experience. He’s a pleasant young man with good interpersonal skills. He worked for six hours fairly solidly doing basic gardening task. All good I would say’.

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Bocketts Farm – Farm assistant

‘A very enthusiastic student. Is good at time keeping and puts his best effort with all his jobs. The three farm managers have all been impressed with his enthusiasm and willingness to join in and get involved; he has been a pleasure to have this week’.

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Construction Site Trainee – Trinity Construction

‘Was enthusiastic and happiest on the days he could get more involved with tasks on site. As he began to understand the various tasks/processes he was able to use his initiative better’

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Nursery Assistant – Village End Childcare

‘Has shown that she is able to pick up on things quickly and use her initiative when it comes to day to day tasks and also caring for the children. Confidence grew more and more each day as she assisted with activities; out-door play and supporting the children through mealtimes. Worked really well in a team and was confident to ask for help or ask what to do next’.

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Store Assistant – Woking RSPCA Charity Store

‘Friendly, chatty and willing to get stuck in. He was good with the tasks set for him and worked well with our other volunteers. He was also good with his customer service skills (chatting to customers and serving them) and learnt basic skills on the till. He did donations research, tidying stock and customer service work. Has had a great week, we have all been impressed with him – hardworking and keen’.

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Engineering Trainee – FOX-VPS Ltd          

‘Spent four days on assembly and was very attentive to the processes and techniques involved. He paid attention and asked questions.

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Trainee florist at The Buttonhole

 ‘Has been a joy to have in the florist this week. She is very willing to learn and take instructions. Has covered lots of different types of floristry from learning to put a bouquet together to working on funeral flowers’

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Front of house trainee – L’Ultimo - Italian Restaurant

‘It was a lovely experience to have him join the team. He adapts well to every situation and listens to what needs to be done at all times’.

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Kennel Assistant – Binfield Dog Rescue

‘A lovely, polite young lady. Always ready to get stuck in, working well under instruction, but using good initiative. A credit to her parents and school and will be an asset to any future employer’

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Catering assistant – Heritage Refreshments

‘Has been a joy to be around this week, she has carried out all tasks with enthusiasm. She has been understandably shy around some new faces, but did her very best to fit in. Has excellent skills regarding cooking and baking. I have been extremely impressed with her attitude and her positivity all week’

At Know Hill School, we support the students and their parents/carers in choosing their next steps.

In the Summer term of Year 10, students have the opportunity to take part in a one week work experience placement. This is arranged by parents/carers with support from the school. The students are prepared for the challenges of work experience in group sessions led by OT and SLT and in individual SLT and OT sessions. The key focus is on developing communication skills for the workplace and associated strategies. On completion, a work experience assembly is shared with the school community to recognise the achievements of the Yr10 students.