Work Experience

Work experience has a key role to play in preparing our students for the world of work. It is a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience of different careers and to further develop your skills and self-confidence within a working environment. 

We have a fantastic working relationship with many local and regional businesses that host students from Bournside school in Year 10 and 12 each year, however, we strongly encourage students to be proactive in finding a work experience placement as early as possible.

In-person placements 2024 

Year 10 Work Experience (WEX), 22 - 26th April, 2024

Year 12 Work Experience (WEX), 8 - 12th July, 2024

Please note: Students are responsible for finding their own placements and will be briefed on this in school. If they would like assistance with this, please send an email to careers@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk or pop into the Careers Hub.

Many of the websites in the Exploring Careers section of the website have videos about different jobs, this may give you some ideas for placements. You could also look at Stacey Dooley's Nine to Five documentary.

Work Placements by Subject and Projects

An online work experience programme for those interested in architecture and design.

https://workexperience.hfm.co.uk

A remote virtual work experience with a twist. Suitable for anyone interested in developing their design or marketing skills. Feedback will be given plus a chance to feature on Hunter Bevan’s website.

https://hunterbevan.co.uk/missing-out-on-work-experience-this-year/

A website which offers virtual work experience placements from a range of companies, from banking to careers in tech. Most options last up to six hours and involve tutorials, videos and activities.

https://www.theforage.com

Resources for young people interested in a career in finance.
https://www.investment2020.org.uk

An online summer school, designed to provide an introduction to journalism for beginners. A range of topics is covered, including news gathering, interviewing skills, media law, sports journalism and broadcasting.

https://www.nctj.com/latestnews/piers-morgan-welcomes-launch-of-nctj-summer-school?fbclid=IwAR1779344ieShqc5BpI_1ueetVoQu5Fr3BZBXMaPozmxHIerCCAkbV2E1Rk

The White and Case virtual work experience programme is free to access for all learners and is suitable for school students, undergraduates and postgraduates from any degree discipline. This programme does not require an application and is self-paced, taking roughly 5-6 hours to complete. 

https://www.insidesherpa.com/virtual-internships/prototype/HECBn5zqCvBpAXitG/White-&-Case-UK-Programme

Jacksons specialise in two areas of law: Private Client and Property. To support students, Jacksons have created a series of questionnaires split into three tiers. Tier one is suitable for all learners, tiers two and three are aimed at university students.

 After submission of these questionnaires, the best entry each week will have the opportunity to have a practice interview with one of the staff members at Jacksons.  

https://www.jacksons-law.com/2020/04/virtual-work-placement-scheme/

Videos and links to law firms.

https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/events 

This virtual work experience course is for learners looking to apply to medical school. During this course learners will be introduced to the NHS and then given the opportunity to explore the roles and skill sets of six different medical specialists. 

https://bsmsoutreach.thinkific.com/courses/VWE

Observe GP is an initiative which was set up by the Royal College of General Practitioners which is a professional body within the UK for GPs. Observe GP is a free system that was created for the purpose of giving every medical applicant a fair chance at gaining work experience.  

https://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/discover-general-practice/observe-gp.aspx

A virtual reality experience of a day in the life of a healthcare professional working in the NHS.

https://hee-vr360.azurewebsites.net

A chance to learn from industry experts and take part in over 200 free cyber security challenges

https://cyber-school.joincyberdiscovery.com/?fbclid=IwAR3b91V8FAsDOmSiSkGxoY35i65KAMzLnJTAaeUBVxo4YO9SBBfTnNRhtns

A website dedicated to helping the UK’s next generation of cyber professionals through a variety of free courses for 11–17-year-olds and exciting competitions.

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/education-skills/11-19-year-olds

A careers podcast for teachers and young people’s influencers with a spotlight on STEM careers in the UK each episode showcases real people that work in STEM and also volunteer in schools to inspire and inform young people
https://www.buzzsprout.com/854536

A day in the life of chosen professionals in Medicine – GP, Nurse, Veterinary, research Scientist, Marine Biologists, Forensic Science.

https://themullanyfund.org/en/what-we-do/virtual-work-experience/

Dive in and start learning.  Everything on the multi-award winning Open Learn is free to everyone!

https://www.open.edu/openlearn

 

Aimed at students between 14 and 18 years old, InvestIn offers an impressive array of virtual work placements involving real life work and contact with professionals. This is a paid service, and placements range from one day to one week. Prices start from £90.
https://investin.org/

A range of week-long internships with live online mentoring, a daily schedule, regular deadlines and constant contact with managing staff. Prices start from £100 for 5 days and run throughout August and September.

https://www.opwall.com/

Suitable for students aged 14-19 and interested in Biology, Science, healthcare and / or for those considering careers in medicine. Watch live videos within the operating theatre, download exam linked worksheets, watch interviews with healthcare professionals and receive tips and advice on applications to medicine. This is a paid service (monthly subscriptions start from £12.99).

https://www.premedprojects.co.uk/premed-projects-live-tv?fbclid=IwAR2H9h_lpPvPhGq71y68G8t5XMUeKQhZ19JTU_5SlaZH5q78VJIwyHv1Pg0

 

Videos and General Careers Research

Offers a careers planner questionnaire and a jobs match service to inspire student’s info on virtual work experience opportunities and lists some of the companies able to provide it guide for students on the dos and don’ts of the application processes
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Uses the power of personal stories to inform and inspire young people’s career choices. It features over 1000 videos of real people talking about their careers:
https://icould.com/

Careers information and tools for 11- to 19-year-olds, all in one place:
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/

Stacey takes five 16- to 18-year-olds into industries crying out for young workers to give them the ultimate work experience
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p06zhf9j/the-nine-to-five-with-stacey-dooley

Rhod tries out different work experience opportunities in Wales:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zf3m1

Take a virtual tour around BT, Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich Town Football Club, Moragn Sindall Construction, Suffolk County Council to get an idea of what it’s like to work in these industries
https://www.icanbea.org.uk/virtual-tours/

Careers advice and support for young people:
https://www.allaboutcareers.com/

Career advice and free online courses from some of the world’s top universities and organisations:
https://www.futurelearn.com/career-advice

Day in the life of different careers.
https://www.careersbox.co.uk/

 

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