Championing In-House Work Experience at Orchard School

Last term, we had the pleasure of organising  a two day in-house work experience programme for Year 10 students at Orchard school. This was an incredible opportunity for students to explore different industries and develop a wide range of essential skills. Through the range of activities over the 2 days, students had the chance to replicate key elements of external work experience, through meeting adults and working on projects that emulated the world of work. 

One of the highlights was an engaging animation workshop hosted by IntoFilm, where students practiced different camera shots and learnt the basics of animation. They had the chance to design and make their own characters using clay, which they then animated to create short films. This hands-on experience allowed students to explore their creativity and gain an understanding of the technical aspects involved in filmmaking and animation. Another exciting taster session was the app development workshop with BJSS, where students were tasked with designing an app for a youth sports centre. They worked collaboratively to plan and design the app’s features, focusing on improving user experience and functionality. This session gave students a taste of what it’s like to work in the tech industry, teaching them how to transform ideas into a working digital product. 

Finance skills were brought to the forefront in two sessions with MyBnk, offering valuable advice on budgeting, saving, and financial planning. Students gained practical knowledge that will help them manage their money wisely in the future. Later, students attended a CV workshop with Signature Recruitment, where they learned how to present themselves effectively in job applications, through selecting the perfect candidate from a range of CVs. 

he final workshop of the two-day programme was a Green Living Project with Ridge Construction, where students gained insights into sustainability and eco-friendly building practices. They were introduced to the growing importance of green initiatives in construction and how the industry is evolving to meet environmental challenges.

Throughout this work experience programme, Year 10s developed vital teamworking and communication skills, preparing them for the future workforce. These work experience tasters helped students to build their confidence, working with unknown adults and experiencing the working world. The different activities allowed students to explore different industries, much as they would in a typical work experience placement, allowing them to consider which industry might be most appealing to their skillset. 

We would like to extend a big thank you to all the organizations involved for their support in making this experience so impactful and memorable for all involved!