Work Experience

At the Bulmershe School we send year 10 and year 12 on a week’s work experience to a placement which is within their field of interest. We believe that work experience is very important as it builds confidence, raises aspirations and allows students to practice their transferable skills.

Introducing Unifrog

Bulmershe uses an online tool to help support students in deciding their next steps. Unifrog is a "Destinations platform" where students can compare university course, apprenticeship, careers and further education options and help them prepare for their future employment. Unifrog is also the tool where students can organise their work experience placements.

Login to Unifrog

Year 10 Work Experience (WEX)

Our year 10s will be having their working experience from Tuesday 28th January - Monday 3rd Febraury 2025.

Tues 28th Jan- Mock Interview Preperation (in School)
Weds 29th Jan - External Placements 
Thur 30th Jan - External Placements 
Fri 31st Jan - Mock Interview Day (in School)
Mon 3rd Feb - CV Writing Workshop (in School

Students and their families are responsible for find their external placements for the 29th and 30th of January. Once organised, these placements need to be submitted using our Unifrog platform not later than 30th September, 2024. 

Mrs Moon hosted an online presentation explaining how the year 10 WEX will work.
Year 10 Work Experience presentation

And tutors delivered the following PowerPoint to students in registration to help them with thinking about what they would like to do: WEX How to contact employers.pptx
On the last slide of the presentation is a list of businesses that accepted Bulmershe students last year. Please remember, any work experience is better than no experience, and students are able to shadow yourself or a family member at work.

How to Submit a Work Experience Placement using Unifrog:

• The placement is only confirmed once Miss Parker has reviewed all documents and you have received an email confirming your placement from Unifrog.
• Questions or concerns to Miss Parker: cparker@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Ideally, we encourage students to find a placement that interests them. In the past we have students placed within the following business types: Pharmacies, Pet shops, Nurseries, Supermarkets, Car Show Rooms, Hotels, Furniture Stores, Stables, Florists, Music Shops, Charity Shops, Restaurants, Marketing, Engineering, Property Services, Banks, Animal Day care and many more.

In the unlikely event that a prefered placement does not accept any students for work experience, have a think about gaining relevant skills in an alternative environment which could then aid your prospects in the future. For example; if you wanted to experience healthcare try a pharmacy or care home.

Your Work Experience is about gaining new skills and stepping out of your comfort zone. Year 10s will have the opportunity to do some more work experience in year 12.

If you have any questions please email BulmersheCareers@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Finding your own Work Experience

Springpod - Placements sourced via Springpod usually involve around 10 hours of activity. This will include live content, pre-recorded content and usually an element of independent working.

Barclays LifeSkills - Register for online work experience for young people aged 14-19. Includes online activities and five live sessions with Barclays employees.

HSBC Work Experience Programme - The UK Work Experience Programme is for students (Years 9-13) looking for a work experience placement with a leading global bank. The programme provides opportunities to gain some hands-on experience, develop your knowledge of banking and financial services, and explore the careers available at HSBC in the UK.

Prospects - Search for internships, volunteering, work shadowing, summer jobs and tips on how to ask employers for work experience.

Workfinder - A platform that allows you to connect to local businesses and hosts and create industry experience opportunities. The service is open to all young people but is most suited to 16–24 year olds.

Vinspired - Volunteering is a great way to meet people and help your community while helping you gain life skills, find fulfilment, learn new skills and add to your CV. This site is from the Speakers for Schools organisation founded by Robert Peston.

The NHS also offers work experience, these opportunities are usually offered via the individual hospital or trust. Brighton & Sussex Medical School provides a 'virtual' work experience for students looking to apply to medical school.

Careersdays.co.uk - Online work experience and career days for students aged 14-17.

Youth Panel - University of Reading - For students aged 14–18 who meet regularly during term time to work on a variety of exciting projects which are great for developing a range of transferable skills.

Why does work experience matter?

• Experiences of the workplace can create social capital for young people with more limited networks
• Experiences of the workplace gives students the opportunity to develop essential skills
• 8.2 per cent of people aged 16-64 in the UK today (3.4 million people in total) have never had a paid job (besides casual and holiday work) (Source: Never Ever Report 2020, Resolution Foundation)

In line with DfE guidance and Gatsby Benchmark 6 – Experiences of the Workplace:

Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.