At the moment some of you will know that year ten students are currently doing their work experience.
Now I have always thought this to be a bit of a waste of time in most cases, as a lot of kids just do it for the sake of it, and go into this experience with their eyes shut.
Mrs777's Daughter is currently doing it, and loving it but....some of her friends have already dropped out not even half way through the two weeks.
Now I am of the understanding that this is part of the National Curriculum, and that being the case kids have to do it.
So kids decide for whatever reason to just drop out or cannot be bothered, but if they do the schools do not offer them anything else. In other words the schools shut down the entire year ten for two weeks.
So those kids that opt out get another week or two dossing around doing nothing, which I think is wrong. If it is in the same bracket as going to school as part of the childs Curriculum, then surely the parents should make sure the kids do the work experience, and if they do not, then they should have to go into school.
Do others think it is a good idea for kids, and does it actually teach them anything about work?
The schools should be made to either make sure the kids go or offer them the chance to go into school. If they can opt out and just doss around, then is it any wonder so many just do not bother?
They do not get paid for it and am wondering if that is part of the reason.
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Work experience for kids
Sex God
I did work experience. I didn't get paid for it. I wanted to go. It was ace! Our school gave us a list of the places we could go and it didn't fall into what I wanted to be when I grew up so I wrote to Lothian & Borders Police and asked if I could go there. They wrote back and said they'd be delighted to have me. I told school and they said I couldn't go, I had to pick a place on the list they provided. I told them to sod off, I was going to the Police. The Inspector came to the school and sorted it out and got them put on the list for future years. 
I don't think that kids should be allowed to drop out. That's half the problem. It's not an option, we had to go. It was a compulsary part of the course and if they don't want to stack shelves in Sainsburys then use some initiative and find somewhere they do want to go. The schools shouldn't have to offer an alternative, you don't get to choose. That's life! They need to get used to it.
I don't think that kids should be allowed to drop out. That's half the problem. It's not an option, we had to go. It was a compulsary part of the course and if they don't want to stack shelves in Sainsburys then use some initiative and find somewhere they do want to go. The schools shouldn't have to offer an alternative, you don't get to choose. That's life! They need to get used to it.
i have mixed opinions about it !
my children did it and loved it, both chose things thy wanted to when they left school and were lucky as they wne to nice places with nice people who looked after them and showed them what to do etc
however i hate it when we have them come to my workplace
most are simply not interested in being there or interested in the job !
they are given the info before about what to wear and how to behave (appropiate language etc (cant spell it))
but they rarely take notice of that at all and i find it so hard to have them there
what makes it worse is that we are responsible for them while they are at the workplace, so not only am i responsible for the children i look after as part of my job but im also looking after teens who dont want to be there !!
we try our best with them but usually its pointless
they must have such a negative feeling about work !!
my children did it and loved it, both chose things thy wanted to when they left school and were lucky as they wne to nice places with nice people who looked after them and showed them what to do etc
however i hate it when we have them come to my workplace
most are simply not interested in being there or interested in the job !
they are given the info before about what to wear and how to behave (appropiate language etc (cant spell it))
but they rarely take notice of that at all and i find it so hard to have them there
what makes it worse is that we are responsible for them while they are at the workplace, so not only am i responsible for the children i look after as part of my job but im also looking after teens who dont want to be there !!
we try our best with them but usually its pointless
they must have such a negative feeling about work !!
Sex God
Quote by Dirtygirly
I did work experience. I didn't get paid for it. I wanted to go. It was ace! Our school gave us a list of the places we could go and it didn't fall into what I wanted to be when I grew up so I wrote to Lothian & Borders Police and asked if I could go there. They wrote back and said they'd be delighted to have me. I told school and they said I couldn't go, I had to pick a place on the list they provided. I told them to sod off, I was going to the Police. The Inspector came to the school and sorted it out and got them put on the list for future years.
I don't think that kids should be allowed to drop out. That's half the problem. It's not an option, we had to go. It was a compulsary part of the course and if they don't want to stack shelves in Sainsburys then use some initiative and find somewhere they do want to go. The schools shouldn't have to offer an alternative, you don't get to choose. That's life! They need to get used to it.
I agree with DG, I think the kids should do the work experience fully.
As you say Mr K, otherwise it's just a way for the kids to have two weeks free from school otherwise and serves no real benefit.
I think a child should be encouraged to follow their interests and try and secure a placement in something that interests them, but by the same token for the terminally de-motivated and intellectually challenged the school could have links with several local businesses from them to pick from if they can't be arsed. Sitting on your bum for two weeks shouldn't ever be an option.
I wasn't offered any opportunity to sample work experience, and tbh I would have resisted being placed just anywhere, although if I could have my own choice it would have been great. The grammar school I went to assumed every pupil would go on to university and didn't even offer careers advice.
My son had an early GCSE exam on his first day and then was ill during his single week in a primary school and ended up missing the last two days, so I wonder how much that experience coloured his judgement about teaching as a career. All-in-all he had 2 days work experience and felt like crap for that - now he doesn't want to be a primary school teacher. Which is probably best imho as I don't think it is a job as much as a vocation and he doesn't seem to have the necessary qualities. If nothing else, his work experience has helped show him that he needs to look in a different direction for a career.
My son had an early GCSE exam on his first day and then was ill during his single week in a primary school and ended up missing the last two days, so I wonder how much that experience coloured his judgement about teaching as a career. All-in-all he had 2 days work experience and felt like crap for that - now he doesn't want to be a primary school teacher. Which is probably best imho as I don't think it is a job as much as a vocation and he doesn't seem to have the necessary qualities. If nothing else, his work experience has helped show him that he needs to look in a different direction for a career.
The trouble is Res that mrs777's Daughters school, as far as I am led to believe, take no action against either the child or the parent. ( no suprise there then ).
Missing your work experience should be the same as missing school, where the parent has to make sure the child goes, or if not get fined.
The parent/parents must know their child has decided not to bother going, so they obviously do not force the issue. It is unfair and unjust how some of these kids can just make the decision to not bother going.
No doubt they or their parents will take the same attitudes when that child does eventually leave school,and with an attitude of " I can't bother going ", is it any wonder they will leave school with crap results, hence a crap job with crap money, and then blame everyone else but themselves for the rest of their lives.
The schools should make sure the child does attend and if not then the parents HAVE to be made to make them go. They make them send their kids to school, and I cannot see any difference here.
Mrs777 Daughters friend quit after two days as she said " it was tiring standing up all day ". Ah bless her little cotton socks. I do not know when she leaves next year what kind of job she will find sitting down all day like at school.
Make it compulsary to attend or fine the parents if they do not go....the same as going to school.
Missing your work experience should be the same as missing school, where the parent has to make sure the child goes, or if not get fined.
The parent/parents must know their child has decided not to bother going, so they obviously do not force the issue. It is unfair and unjust how some of these kids can just make the decision to not bother going.
No doubt they or their parents will take the same attitudes when that child does eventually leave school,and with an attitude of " I can't bother going ", is it any wonder they will leave school with crap results, hence a crap job with crap money, and then blame everyone else but themselves for the rest of their lives.
The schools should make sure the child does attend and if not then the parents HAVE to be made to make them go. They make them send their kids to school, and I cannot see any difference here.
Mrs777 Daughters friend quit after two days as she said " it was tiring standing up all day ". Ah bless her little cotton socks. I do not know when she leaves next year what kind of job she will find sitting down all day like at school.
Make it compulsary to attend or fine the parents if they do not go....the same as going to school.
In one of my favourite Movies 'The Dark Knight' (if you didn't already know) 
The Joker goes to all the Crime Bosses of Gotham...
To control Gotham again, simply kill The Batman. :idea:
A Gangster replies...
If it's that simple, why haven't you done it
:
Joker says...
If you're good at something, don't do it for free. :idea:
That's my view on Work Experience, if a person works why should they work for nothing :?
If it's about real-life experience then shouldn't the School Child learn the reward for work is Cash Money £ :idea:
The Joker goes to all the Crime Bosses of Gotham...
To control Gotham again, simply kill The Batman. :idea:
A Gangster replies...
If it's that simple, why haven't you done it
: Joker says...
If you're good at something, don't do it for free. :idea:
That's my view on Work Experience, if a person works why should they work for nothing :?
If it's about real-life experience then shouldn't the School Child learn the reward for work is Cash Money £ :idea:
Therefore a Child is forced by Law (I think, please correct me if am wrong) to work unpaid for 2 Weeks.
Erm... am surprised that hasn't been challenged in the Courts :shock:
I know as a fact, that certain big chain's especially within the Retail Sector, absolutely love Work Experience.
Some even cut the hours of paid staff & get the Work Experience to do the work :shock:
Am 31 & my School where thinking of introducing Work Experience during my final year: 1992 / 1993
I told the Headmaster, that if he introduced it whilst I was still a student. I wouldn't participate unless he worked for 2 Weeks without pay in his job. :P
The Class of 1992 / 1993 NEVER did Work Experience,
I wonder why :twisted:
Scouse Kids aren't to be messed with
Erm... am surprised that hasn't been challenged in the Courts :shock:
I know as a fact, that certain big chain's especially within the Retail Sector, absolutely love Work Experience.
Some even cut the hours of paid staff & get the Work Experience to do the work :shock:
Am 31 & my School where thinking of introducing Work Experience during my final year: 1992 / 1993
I told the Headmaster, that if he introduced it whilst I was still a student. I wouldn't participate unless he worked for 2 Weeks without pay in his job. :P
The Class of 1992 / 1993 NEVER did Work Experience,
I wonder why :twisted:
Scouse Kids aren't to be messed with
Sex God
I think work experience can be a really valuable experience however it depends on a number of factors: the school managing the process correctly, the pupil putting effort in and approaching it with the right attitude and the employer not taking the mickey.
It can be incredibly rewarding but it can be a waste of time.
At schools I have worked in, truancy from work experience was treated as just that, truancy. Sanctions were applied accordingly. If a placement broke down then the pupil would return to school and spend the rest of the time there.
It can be incredibly rewarding but it can be a waste of time.
At schools I have worked in, truancy from work experience was treated as just that, truancy. Sanctions were applied accordingly. If a placement broke down then the pupil would return to school and spend the rest of the time there.
Sex God
Quote by Wunderhorse
Therefore a Child is forced by Law (I think, please correct me if am wrong) to work unpaid for 2 Weeks.
Erm... am surprised that hasn't been challenged in the Courts :shock:
I know as a fact, that certain big chain's especially within the Retail Sector, absolutely love Work Experience.
Some even cut the hours of paid staff & get the Work Experience to do the work :shock:
Am 31 & my School where thinking of introducing Work Experience during my final year: 1992 / 1993
I told the Headmaster, that if he introduced it whilst I was still a student. I wouldn't participate unless he worked for 2 Weeks without pay in his job. :P
The Class of 1992 / 1993 NEVER did Work Experience,
I wonder why :twisted:
Scouse Kids aren't to be messed with
I think the emphasis is on the gaining of experience, rather than being in paid work.
If you made businesses pay the going rate for a work experience child, the number of businesses willing to participate would decline fairly sharpishly I would imagine. Even the minimum wage would be too much for some businesses.
As an ideal, I think it is a good notion that the child earns something from their work other than experience, but I think at the moment businesses would not go for that.
Quote by Wunderhorse
If you're good at something, don't do it for free. :idea:
That's my view on Work Experience, if a person works why should they work for nothing
If it's about real-life experience then shouldn't the School Child learn the reward for work is Cash Money £ :idea:
So with the above in mind, where does volunteer work fit into the picture?
on a personal level i know my daughters school you can source your own placement. if you fail to secure one you spend that week within the school, doing stuff they set up. eco stuff, job application practice, interview skills etc.
if a child secures a work placement, unless there is a real cause for concern that the child shouldnt return, then they damm well do.
work experience isnt about free labour but learning about what a full working day can entail, time keeping, dealing with public, etc.
including responsibility and the fact you cant just give up, walk out or let people down.
on a work level.
i dont mind having them in if they are actually interested in the line of work, an dtrust me we do not get any free labour from them, in fact I have to re jog my whole diary to teach guide and educate the young person and ensure what is planned is varied and possible,( i deal with some very confidential information) so that has to be put on teh back burner or i stay 4 hours over my work day to do that work i cant complete casue im baby sitting a year 10.
xx fem xx
if a child secures a work placement, unless there is a real cause for concern that the child shouldnt return, then they damm well do.
work experience isnt about free labour but learning about what a full working day can entail, time keeping, dealing with public, etc.
including responsibility and the fact you cant just give up, walk out or let people down.
on a work level.
i dont mind having them in if they are actually interested in the line of work, an dtrust me we do not get any free labour from them, in fact I have to re jog my whole diary to teach guide and educate the young person and ensure what is planned is varied and possible,( i deal with some very confidential information) so that has to be put on teh back burner or i stay 4 hours over my work day to do that work i cant complete casue im baby sitting a year 10.
xx fem xx
The majority of young people I know who have done work experience had loved it. Yeah, you do get the ones who bunk off, not interested, or just think its crap. The rest gain valuable life and social skills, responsibilities, knowledge and awareness of a working environment etc and look forward to being in gainful employment in the future. Although, they only get from it what they put in to it....
I used to love having work experiences young peeps but as Fem points out - it takes some pre planning to make it a valuable and worthwhile experience as possible.
I used to love having work experiences young peeps but as Fem points out - it takes some pre planning to make it a valuable and worthwhile experience as possible.
Our eldest son split his work experience and took one week at the office I work in.
It was the first time we (as a company) had done this and so approval had to be gained from head office, the body organising the work experience interviewed the office manager to make sure the time would be beneficial.
During the week my son found out that working in an office can be fun. It could also be hard work. But the biggest thing he found out was that 8:30 til 5:00 is a hell of a lot longer than 9:00 to 3:10.
At the end of the week he was given a gift voucher by the office manager as he'd worked real hard in his short time there.
He wrote back with a thank you letter without any prompt from us, so that made me feel proud that we've managed to instill certain old fashioned values into our children.
Since then we've had one other employees daughter over for two weeks and another one starts next week.
We treat them with respect, give them projects that are achievable, and don't just sit them next to a photocopier and give them a stapler.
Not sure how I'd feel if there was a continuous conveyor belt of young adults working their way through the office, but I certainly don't object to the level we have at the moment.
It was the first time we (as a company) had done this and so approval had to be gained from head office, the body organising the work experience interviewed the office manager to make sure the time would be beneficial.
During the week my son found out that working in an office can be fun. It could also be hard work. But the biggest thing he found out was that 8:30 til 5:00 is a hell of a lot longer than 9:00 to 3:10.
At the end of the week he was given a gift voucher by the office manager as he'd worked real hard in his short time there.
He wrote back with a thank you letter without any prompt from us, so that made me feel proud that we've managed to instill certain old fashioned values into our children.
Since then we've had one other employees daughter over for two weeks and another one starts next week.
We treat them with respect, give them projects that are achievable, and don't just sit them next to a photocopier and give them a stapler.
Not sure how I'd feel if there was a continuous conveyor belt of young adults working their way through the office, but I certainly don't object to the level we have at the moment.
Sex God
:thumbup:
Go you Ian... that's exactly how it was for me! I got good stuff to do and in turn we give our work experience kids good stuff to do too. Well as good as it gets in our place but it's not just about photocopying and delivering stuff round the office.
You should be proud of your kids... you have clearly done a good job!
Go you Ian... that's exactly how it was for me! I got good stuff to do and in turn we give our work experience kids good stuff to do too. Well as good as it gets in our place but it's not just about photocopying and delivering stuff round the office.
You should be proud of your kids... you have clearly done a good job!
I did work experience back in the mid 80's and completely hated it. The people were really horrible and treated us really badly and actually made 4 of us change our mind about what we wanted to do when we left school. It was too late for us to change our choice of GCSEs so we all had to go to college once leaving school and re-do some exams to get into the work we really wanted to do.
Sounds like he has a fantastic time Varca. There are obviously some great placements out there.
I could not believe though that schools do not provide any alternative for those that do not go, or the ones that drop out.
This right on top of what is it...seven weeks summer holiday? So some kids are allowed to doss for two weeks, then go back for a week or two, and then have seven weeks off. Which means that in a space of 11 weeks some kids are allowed 9 weeks off. That is over two months at an important time in their lives of working towards GCSE grades.
What a lot of time to simply doss wonder so many leave school with very little. That is an obscene ammount of time to not be at school.
A kid should be MADE to do work experience and if they do not want to do it, or drop out then they should be forced to attend school.
What I would like to know is in those two weeks of work experience what are those teachers doing? They have no year 10 lessons to do and then they also go back for two weeks and then off for a further seven.
I bloody wish my business could operate like that, I could spend me days walking the golf course, or blasting on me bike.
I could not believe though that schools do not provide any alternative for those that do not go, or the ones that drop out.
This right on top of what is it...seven weeks summer holiday? So some kids are allowed to doss for two weeks, then go back for a week or two, and then have seven weeks off. Which means that in a space of 11 weeks some kids are allowed 9 weeks off. That is over two months at an important time in their lives of working towards GCSE grades.
What a lot of time to simply doss wonder so many leave school with very little. That is an obscene ammount of time to not be at school.
A kid should be MADE to do work experience and if they do not want to do it, or drop out then they should be forced to attend school.
What I would like to know is in those two weeks of work experience what are those teachers doing? They have no year 10 lessons to do and then they also go back for two weeks and then off for a further seven.
I bloody wish my business could operate like that, I could spend me days walking the golf course, or blasting on me bike.
Sex God
Kent, not all schools do work experience at this time of year. In fact, I have never known it in the summer term. And, as I mentioned earlier, in all the schools I have worked at truancy from your placement is treated exactly as truancy from school.
It totally depends on the individual school. If the school Mrs Kent's daughter goes too lets kids drop out with no sanction, then I would argue they are not doing a very good job.
It totally depends on the individual school. If the school Mrs Kent's daughter goes too lets kids drop out with no sanction, then I would argue they are not doing a very good job.
Sex God
Yup... my school didn't do work experience for everyone, although it may have changed now. I took a specific subject and it was part of that class that the work experience came about. It may be different in Scotland than it is for England though.
The school my friend works in have the work experience at the beginning of the autumn term and for only 1 week. Not all pupils go, they do not send pupils who have a history of causing trouble. This is partly because of health and safety and also because th employers that agree to have the pupils cannot be expected to put up with the behaviour of some pupils. These pupils will do work experience in the school, either in the office, the IT suite, if they have an interest in sport or science they may work there also.
Truancy of a student from work experience is treated the same as from school.
Kent I would agree with nola maybe the school in question isn't handling the work experience very well but this is not the same in all schools.
What do the teachers do when the year 10 students are off ... probably the same as they do when they have any non contact time, plan lessons, schemes of work for next year, gather resources, speak to parents, catch up on marking, writing end of term reports, covering lessons for absent teachers and visiting the pupils on work experience .... teaching isn't just standing in front of 30 pupils
Truancy of a student from work experience is treated the same as from school.
Kent I would agree with nola maybe the school in question isn't handling the work experience very well but this is not the same in all schools.
What do the teachers do when the year 10 students are off ... probably the same as they do when they have any non contact time, plan lessons, schemes of work for next year, gather resources, speak to parents, catch up on marking, writing end of term reports, covering lessons for absent teachers and visiting the pupils on work experience .... teaching isn't just standing in front of 30 pupils
Quote by kentswingers777
then they also go back for two weeks and then off for a further seven.
I bloody wish my business could operate like that, I could spend me days walking the golf course, or blasting on me bike.
If you inflate your charges like you inflate your 'facts' maybe you could. What school is it that has a 7 week summer break? When my kids were at high school they had a 6 week break, along with the rest of the country I would think.
Majority of schools here do work placements in the summer term. The area I worked in was renowned for truancy or as some called it self exclusion and nope they weren't chased up! Too many for the staff to cope with. We were always busy during those weeks as they wanted to come into us for something to do!
We had one school here (now closed - wonder why) that had a fire drill, out of 500 pupils plus staff they were 200 counted, including staff...
We also have some state schools with funny terms or hours of attendance. One state school starts at and finishes earlier...young people wanted it and love it.
We had one school here (now closed - wonder why) that had a fire drill, out of 500 pupils plus staff they were 200 counted, including staff...
We also have some state schools with funny terms or hours of attendance. One state school starts at and finishes earlier...young people wanted it and love it.
Quote by northwest-cpl
then they also go back for two weeks and then off for a further seven.
I bloody wish my business could operate like that, I could spend me days walking the golf course, or blasting on me bike.
If you inflate your charges like you inflate your 'facts' maybe you could. What school is it that has a 7 week summer break? When my kids were at high school they had a 6 week break, along with the rest of the country I would think.
Mrs777's Daughter is actually off for seven weeks minus one day. There is a bakers day thrown in and also as she will be in her final year there, they are the last ones to go back. The first years go back one day then the second and third years, and finally year 11 students. Does that answer your question Northwest??
Nothing wrong with my facts in this instance!
Quote by kentswingers777
Mrs777's Daughter is actually off for seven weeks minus one day. There is a bakers day thrown in and also as she will be in her final year there, they are the last ones to go back. The first years go back one day then the second and third years, and finally year 11 students. Does that answer your question Northwest??
Nothing wrong with my facts in this instance!
So it's one year group that has 4 days over 6 weeks, not the school. Thank you for explaining that.
Quote by kentswingers777
...seven weeks summer holiday? So some kids are allowed to doss for two weeks, then go back for a week or two, and then have seven weeks off. Which means that in a space of 11 weeks some kids are allowed 9 weeks off. That is over two months at an important time in their lives of working towards GCSE grades.
What a lot of time to simply doss wonder so many leave school with very little. That is an obscene ammount of time to not be at school.
So Mrs777's daughter just dosses about with her 7 weeks off ? Do you not think parents/relations should be in some part responsible for their childs learning. Maybe rather than ranting you could spend some time with this young lady and help her work out a revision timetable for her to help her use her 7 weeks wisely. Or send her to summer school if 7 weeks is too long without learning.
GCSEs are hardly the most important thing in their lives .... You say in the next sentance 'a kid' ... I think we sometimes forget that they are kids. The way the we are at the moment we are working until 65, maybe later in these childrens lifetimes. They will have enough pressure once they start uni/work. I know and totally agree that a good education and exam results will give you a good start but it is not the end of the world having 6/7 weeks off in the summer, let them enjoy it, once they start working they wont get that again (even if they are teachers)
Quote by northwest-cpl
Mrs777's Daughter is actually off for seven weeks minus one day. There is a bakers day thrown in and also as she will be in her final year there, they are the last ones to go back. The first years go back one day then the second and third years, and finally year 11 students. Does that answer your question Northwest??
Nothing wrong with my facts in this instance!
So it's one year group that has 4 days over 6 weeks, not the school. Thank you for explaining that.
You got a touch of heatstroke?
Did I mention schools? I was talking about the ammount of time the kids have off, on top of the time those that opt out of work experience get.
One year group ( which in case you had not noticed )was the only year group I thought we was talking about will have 6 weeks and four days off plus......wait for it.....in some cases a further 2 weeks if they opt out. That is 8 weeks and four days off.
I thought I already said this.
Quote by Sexysmilingeyes
...seven weeks summer holiday? So some kids are allowed to doss for two weeks, then go back for a week or two, and then have seven weeks off. Which means that in a space of 11 weeks some kids are allowed 9 weeks off. That is over two months at an important time in their lives of working towards GCSE grades.
What a lot of time to simply doss wonder so many leave school with very little. That is an obscene ammount of time to not be at school.
So Mrs777's daughter just dosses about with her 7 weeks off ? Do you not think parents/relations should be in some part responsible for their childs learning. Maybe rather than ranting you could spend some time with this young lady and help her work out a revision timetable for her to help her use her 7 weeks wisely. Or send her to summer school if 7 weeks is too long without learning.
GCSEs are hardly the most important thing in their lives .... You say in the next sentance 'a kid' ... I think we sometimes forget that they are kids. The way the we are at the moment we are working until 65, maybe later in these childrens lifetimes. They will have enough pressure once they start uni/work. I know and totally agree that a good education and exam results will give you a good start but it is not the end of the world having 6/7 weeks off in the summer, let them enjoy it, once they start working they wont get that again (even if they are teachers)
I find that comment bloody offensive!
I may " rant " as you so aptly put it but...you do not have a clue what we do or do not do with her, in the holidays. Your just making wild assumptions indicating we do nothing.
We do lots for your information, hence why she is in the top classes for ALL her subjects, and at the end of this school term voting will take place to elect a new head girl for year 11. She is favorite to get this.
So do excuse me but we do lots with her, both with her school work and other activities.
Do excuse me if I have taken your comments out of context, but that is exactly how I read them.
