Queen'scroft High School

Work Experience & Employability (Sixth form)

Work experience and employability form a central part of Sixth Form life at Queen’s Croft High School. This provision supports students to develop the skills, confidence and behaviours needed for adult life, employment and meaningful participation in their community.

Opportunities are carefully planned, personalised and aligned with students’ Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes and Preparation for Adulthood targets.

Work Experience - Sixth Form

 

Work Experience Programme

Students in Sixth Form access regular, structured work experience as part of their weekly timetable.

  • Years 12 and 13:
    Students take part in one afternoon per week of work experience.

  • Year 14 (where appropriate):
    Students may access one full day per week of work experience, depending on readiness, independence and individual pathways.

Placements are selected to reflect students’ interests, strengths and future aspirations, with appropriate support in place to ensure success.

Typical Work Experience Placements

Students access a wide range of supported work experience placements within the local community. These placements provide meaningful opportunities to develop employability skills, confidence and independence.

Examples of placements accessed by students include:

  • Local hairdressers

  • Co op

  • Darwin Court Care Home

  • Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust

  • Lichfield Litter Legends

  • Bar 55

  • Liberty Jamboree

  • Beacon Park

  • Tesco Foodbank

  • Local catering companies

Placements are reviewed regularly and adapted to ensure they remain appropriate, supportive and meaningful for each student.

Example: Care Home Placement

At Darwin Court Care Home, students are supported to experience a range of workplace roles. During their placement, students have:

  • taken part in a full tour of the setting

  • met staff from different roles and departments

  • explored areas such as the laundry room, hairdressers, rooftop garden, bedrooms and dining areas

  • supported staff by delivering meals to residents in their rooms

This experience helps students understand workplace routines, develop confidence when interacting with adults and contribute positively to their community.

Developing Employability Skills

Through work experience, students are supported to develop key employability skills, including:

  • understanding workplace expectations

  • timekeeping and attendance

  • communication with adults and peers

  • teamwork and collaboration

  • following instructions and routines

  • problem-solving and resilience

  • health and safety awareness

These skills are explicitly taught, modelled and reinforced across Sixth Form.

Enterprise and Project-Based Learning

Alongside external work experience, all Sixth Form students take part in weekly project-based learning, with half a day each week dedicated to enterprise and employability projects.

This project time provides opportunities for students to plan, set up and run small enterprises, helping them apply their skills in real-life contexts.

Projects may include:

  • planning and preparing staff meals

  • organising and running coffee mornings

  • planning and hosting school events or fairs

  • managing simple budgets and resources

  • promoting events and engaging with others

  • reflecting on success and areas for development

These activities help students build confidence, independence and an understanding of how work operates in real settings.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Work experience and enterprise learning provide valuable opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Students are supported to:

  • apply communication and social skills in unfamiliar environments

  • travel to and from placements safely

  • interact with members of the public

  • develop independence and self-confidence

  • understand their role within a workplace or team

Learning is practical, hands-on and rooted in real-world experiences.

Personalised Pathways and Support

Work experience and employability opportunities are tailored to individual needs. Support may include:

  • gradual introductions to placements

  • on-site support where appropriate

  • close liaison with employers

  • ongoing review and adjustment of placements

  • clear preparation and reflection

This ensures students feel safe, supported and able to succeed.

Preparing for the Next Stage

Work experience and enterprise learning play a key role in preparing students for their next steps, which may include:

  • further education or training

  • supported internships

  • employment opportunities

  • increased independence in adult life

Progress and outcomes are closely linked to EHCP targets and reviewed regularly to support transition planning.

In Summary

The Work Experience and Employability programme at Queen’s Croft High School provides students with meaningful, practical opportunities to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed for adulthood.

Through a combination of work placements, enterprise projects and real-life learning, students are supported to move forward positively into their next stage.

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