At Wightwick Hall School, work experience is an integral part of developing the independence element of the curriculum and through this learners gain an insight into the world of work and the inherent expectations.

For learners the benefits of undertaking work experience are that it provides the opportunity to:

• develop employability skills
• develop transferable skills i.e. communication and team working
• encourage independence
• build confidence
• add to a CV to demonstrate to employers an interest in the world of work
• investigate future career aspirations

Work experience for year 10, 11 and 12 takes the form of a 3-5 day placement, Year 13 and 14 have the opportunity to take up a work experience placement throughout the academic year on a Friday. Work experience placements are either organised through friends and family, established links or through the WorkExperienceSpace run by Entrust and has the facility to request health and safety risk assessments to be completed and to receive feedback as to their suitability for work experience to be undertaken by the learner.

Whilst on work experience there is close contact between learner, employer and school, this is backed up by monitoring visits.