September 2009

 

The Careers department at Teign would like to thank all the local employers who have taken a work experience student this year.  It means our Yr 10 students gained an invaluable insight into the world of work. The feedback has been fantastic.  The students are very appreciative of the opportunities offered to them by employers and so many of them have been genuinely enthused by their placements.  (Jim Lamb wrote of his time at Wessex DAF “All the people there were cool and they liked me”.  Helen Edworthy wrote of her time at Waterstones, Exeter “It was a shame it was only 2 weeks. I loved working there”. Holly Sambells who went to Cockhaven Manor wrote “It was great getting breakfast and lunch everyday and I’ve been offered a job”

Jason at Centrax

When on placement, we do expect the students to keep a log book detailing their experiences. It encourages them to consider which key skills they need to improve and how their placement could help them learn about “Enterprise”.  Location permitting, a member of our staff visits the student to ensure everyone is happy. We do like the employers to give us a short report on each student.  It is essential that our students can see where their strengths and weaknesses lie and how they are seen by other people.

Charlotte at Teignview Veterinary Practice

Kalem, Jacob, Nick and Shayne at Occombe Farm working with “Ponies Inspiring People”

We are retaining our choice of the last two weeks of the summer term next year. In order to complete all the formalities associated with work experience, the Yr 10 students will begin the process of identifying and applying for placements in November.

Sam and Kate at The Labour Party Offices in Exeter

As in previous years, the students are expected to organize the placements themselves; this is an important part of the experience and is not always easy, especially given the demands on local employers from other local schools as well. We appreciate that these demands can be quite intensive. We do have a database of local employers who have accepted work experience students in the past, but often, placements are organised informally through family contacts or ‘cold calls’. The fact that the students have to use their own initiative, research skills and communication skills means that the process of organizing the placement can prove a useful lesson in its own right.

It is a legal requirement that every placement be checked for all aspects of health and safety. Devon Education Business Partnership does this on the school’s behalf.  All work experience providers must have Public Liability and Employers’ Liability Insurance in place at the time of the placement. In spite of these restrictions, it is always so pleasing that so many employers are prepared to take on students and the lengths to which they go to ensure the placement is successful and rewarding

Kelli at Lloyds TSB Newton Abbot

Employers’ comments included:

 

• I was extremely pleased with Chris in every respect.  Coming to this environment for anyone is difficult and he coped with everything superbly well.

• She was a valuable member of the team whilst here and I would be very keen to employ a student such as her in the future.

• An all round good bloke

• A very likeable young lady, who came out of her shell during the week.

• It was a pleasure to have Max; he’s a credit to his school

• A real pleasure, she would be a real asset to any business

Matt at Bradley Lane MOT Centre

Selection of Student comments

 

• It was great as it showed the good and bad bits of the job.

• It was fantastic as I picked up lots of new and interesting skills.

• The long hours were hard work.

• It has helped me make a decision on what career I am taking.

• There was more to the job than I thought.

• I like working with little kids because they looked up to me.

• I would go home most days with a headache!

• It was great because I went out and did different things each day rather than being stuck inside.

• I’m still going to try and be a chef.  It’s an awesome job.

• I didn’t like having to be up so early

 

The range of experiences included:

 

• Cabin crew  training with Flybe

• Finding out what hairdressers do

• Working at the National Marine Aquarium

• Preparing, cooking and serving food

• Helping people learn to ride a horse

• Understanding the food chain/farming

• Surveying, construction

• Working in High Street retailers

• Dressing up as hedgehogs

• Building kitchens

• Working with Auctioneers

Contact: Elaine Perman,
Work ExperienceCoOrdinator
Teign School
Chudleigh Road
Kingsteignton
TQ12 3JG
01626 366969 eper@email.teign.devon.sch.uk