Year 12 pupils spent three days at the end of term doing work experience with companies from a wide range of different industries and sectors. From legal and financial services, hospitality and retail, to technology and engineering, and education and sports-based businesses, the pupils all found suitable and worthwhile placements.
Head of Careers, Mrs Louise Rapple Moore, says: “Work experience is an invaluable part of a young person’s education and one of the most valuable assets a student can have on their university personal statements and CVs. We are pleased to offer Year 12 the opportunity to organise three days of work experience at the end of the summer term. Work experience can help clarify to a student what they might, and might not, want to do after leaving school and whilst work experience related to future careers is great, any work experience is enormously valuable, instilling in pupils the discipline of arriving at a workplace on time, interacting with the public, working as a member of a team, carrying out instructions and giving them a taste of life in the ‘real world’.”
It was an absolute pleasure to read such positive feedback from the people overseeing the placements. The Shiplake pupils made positive impressions on all the people they met and demonstrated initiative, good work ethic, willingness to learn and excellent attitudes. Many added they would love to welcome the pupils back again in the future. Here are just a few of the comments received:
"It has been a real delight to have Hannah and Fergus back at St Mary's for their work experience. It is so lovely to see our ex-pupils at any time but to spend time with these two and see what incredible, confident young people they have become has been a real privilege."
"Aaron had a great work ethic. We showed him the duties and he embraced them and ran with it. He proved to be a real success and popular addition to the team. We found Aaron a pleasure to work with. For someone his age he seemed to have a mature head on his shoulders and was someone we enjoyed having around. I would be happy to have Aaron back in should he ever look for additional work experience. I think he enjoyed learning about financial services and its potentially opened his eyes to a future working in that field."
"Louis demonstrated an excellent attitude toward work, he was willing, helpful, quickly picked up the basic tasks to be performed and was able to follow routine. He also showed great flexibility and was confident to really 'get stuck in' and work across different departments in our health club. Louis spent time in the gym, working on front of house assisting reception and in our food and beverage department. After getting to know staff, Louis demonstrated excellent communication skills with other colleagues, managers and members. It was nice to see his confidence grow over the course of his work experience."
"Excellent. A pleasure to have in school. Very adaptable, willing and engaged. Polite, supportive and understanding. Very good with both staff and the boys. Good organisation, willing to do anything that was asked of him, gave a talk to Y8 leavers and spoke about the transition to senior school and life at boarding school. Promoted your school very well. Jamie grew in confidence and should be very pleased with himself."
"She had time with many senior members of the team across Marketing, Sales, Product Management and Finance. All colleagues were struck by Martha’s positive and confident manner. She was clear what she wanted to achieve and get out of her interactions and time with our Business. Martha is a very bright young women. There is no doubt she will have an impressive career and will be a star of the future."
"Tom showed an excellent attitude throughout his 3 days working with me. He is a very willing learner and keen to understand what he has done well, and where he can improve and excel. One of Tom's greatest strengths shown was his creativity. Tom's work was at the highest quality and he executed everything that was asked of him to the best of his ability. The ownership he showed at a young age is also a brilliant foundation to have and will help find success."
"Ava was amazing. She was outgoing, confident and engaging with her colleagues, children and parents right from the start. She got on with it straight away, she wasn't quiet or reserved on the first day as you'd expect. Couldn't compliment her approach and attitude more. She took instructions well, lead a group time activity on her own and formed really warm bonds with the staff and children within her short period here. She has been the best work experience student we have ever had. Credit to her approach and for carrying herself so well, she should be very proud of herself."
The industries that pupils had placements with included:
- Motion design and animation
- Investment banking, financial consultancy and other financial services
- Journalism
- Primary and prep schools
- Engineering
- Hospitality and retail
- Gym, golf, punting, personal training
- Legal
- Care services
- Environmental protection
- Aerospace and automotive
- IT and Technology
- Charity (Oxford, Chiltern Centre, Headway Thames Valley, British Heart Foundation)
- Architecture, house building, estate agents and property
- Marketing, design, media, market research
- Medical, Dental and Physiotherapy
