Enterprise and Work Related Learning
Driffield School has a well established tradition of providing several different forms of work experience opportunities.
Work Related Learning (WRL)
These may be block placements of one week for Y10, extended placements for Y10 and Y11, or vocational placements for Y12 and Y13.
A highly skilled and adaptable work force
Young people should be given the opportunity to develop enterprise skills and acquire knowledge that will enable them to take their place in a rapidly changing technological society. Currently society demands a highly skilled and adaptable work force and part of our responsibility as educators is to help provide that.
Each year the school makes arrangements for all students in Y10 to have a week out of school with local employers for work experience or work shadowing. Not all the students can be placed in employment related to their possible future career, but they will gain experience of working in a “real” workplace in an adult environment away from their peers. For many of the students it will be a work shadowing experience, following and observing various employees and then some supervised practical tasks.
All work experience placements must undergo a health and safety appraisal by the Connexions team. This process can take up to 12 weeks and is a legislative pre-requisite. The students are also required to attend specific health and safety training sessions.
Preparing students for the transition from school to the workplace
The aim of work experience is to help prepare students for the transition from school to the workplace and to gain a wider understanding of the industrial and commercial world. As a result of this experience students have the opportunity to develop interpersonal and social skills. Many also increase their self confidence and independence and develop an awareness of their own potential.
Form Tutors guide and monitor students whilst they are on work placement. They may visit the students or telephone the placement to check that all is going well. This valuable supervisory help is much appreciated by the school. The work experience programme can be viewed by the timeline.
There are many strands to WRL which includes various diverse activities. These are illustrated by the list entitled Aspects of WRL.
Enterprise
Enterprise is having the skills, attitude and knowledge that students need to thrive in their future working lives. To maintain and update employability is a challenge and lasts throughout life. Enterprise capability is to handle uncertainty and respond positively to change, to create and implement new ideas and new ways of doing things.
National Enterprise Week
National Enterprise Week is held every year normally in November where thousands of activities are run by organisations to celebrate Enterprise. This helps students to discover their entrepreneurial talent and open their enterprising nature
Enterprise Challenge Days
Driffield School also holds Enterprise Challenge Days to coincide with Work Experience week. We invite real people in as Business Advisors to make the day more relevant for students. This helps to give them a broader idea of how skills are used and understand the challenges of the working world.
Business Advisors work with small groups of students to give advice and guidance on a set task. Ideas are student led and suggestions from a business and personal perspective are offered when appropriate. If you are interested in volunteering as a Business Representative please contact Miss Woodman at Driffield School.
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)
IAG relates to future pathways in employment and training. All students have access to quality IAG services which offers support and impartial advice. Driffield School values these services and is committed to their quality of provision which is why we are pursuing the Gold Standard accreditation for IAG.
Driffield School has a set programme of Careers, Education and Guidance (CEG) and is designed to meet the needs of students. It is differentiated to ensure progression though activities that are appropriate to student’s stage of career learning, planning and development. This helps students to;
- Understand themselves and the influences on them (Self Development)
- Investigate opportunities in learning and work (Career Exploration)
- Make and adjust plans to manage change and transitions (Career management)
If you would like to engage links with the school, we welcome support that can help us enhance our programme of provision. Please contact Miss Woodman, Enterprise Officer on 01377 253631 for further information.
- Websites (pdf, 124.9 KB)
- 14-19 Pathways Poster (pdf, 253.6 KB)
