Earlier this month all of our year 10 students had the opportunity to experience the workplace.

Students thoroughly enjoyed the change of routine and being given the opportunity to try new skills in the workplace, such as self-confidence, communication, independence and teamwork, depending on what kind of placement they did.

Students worked in a wide range of different industries including banking, retail, education, catering, politics, sport, charity, emergency services, adult care and engineering – just to name a few.

The students below were working in the retail sector within various roles.

The five girls below were working within the hair and beauty sector and one of the employers commented that the student who had chosen her workplace was a natural.

Owen, Dylan, Desmond, Thomas and Callum were among the students who enjoyed a worthwhile experience working in the education sector.  These students were supported by the primary schools within our Trust.

We also had students working at Penniwells RDA Centre, Bushey Hall Garage and Parents Paradise – all very different environments.We were lucky enough to have Nathan, Katie, Karan and Benjamin working in various departments within our own school – thank you to the members of staff who supported the work experience programme.

Other placements included Herts Fire Station and Watford Conservatives where a number of our students followed extensive programmes put together by their respective work experience coordinators.

The overriding feedback from employers stated that our students were a credit to themselves and our school. Below are some of the lovely comments received from employers:-

• In ten years of participating in the work experience programme, your student is by far the best I have worked with.
• Your five students were brilliant, really fantastic. Tell them if they want to come back again they can? They should be very proud of themselves.
• Your two students showed impeccable conduct, they were enthusiastic and engaged throughout their time with us. The class teachers with whom they were placed spoke very highly of them and they were professional and helpful at all times, really bringing something to our school and to the learning experiences of the children.
• Feedback on your student from the department she was placed in was very positive (including ours). Even though there were times when she was asked to undertake the more mundane tasks of an office environment, her approach was proactive and confident (and always with a smile). We wish her every success with her future studies and career.

Well done Year 10 for an outstanding week of work experience and for being amazing ambassadors for Bushey Meads.