S4 Work Experience

During this session we will be changing our approach to how our S4 pupils participate in work experience. Following feedback from pupils, parents and staff, we will no longer have all of our S4 pupils on work experience at the same time. Over the past few years this has happened in the second half of November.

This practice resulted in limited opportunities for some pupils who were slower of the mark in getting their placements organised. Instead, during this current session, S4 pupils will arrange a week's work experience at a time of their choosing throughout the session. Some may choose to work during a holiday in order to avoid missing classes. Teachers are happier with this arrangement as their teaching schedules are not interrupted in November.

Over the years across different schools I have found that pupils benefit hugely from spending time away from school in a work environment. Some find it tough and don't make it through the week. For many it is a wake up call that to earn a living the work they do won't necessarily be glamorous and as highly paid as they would wish it to be. Most return to school energised and much more focused than before. We mustn't lose that opportunity to broaden and enrich our pupils' education.