Manchester: St Paul's students experience world of work

Students from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, recently undertook work placements and gained a taste of what real life's all about.

The school organises work placement opportunities for its Year 10 students, providing them with a great chance to experience working life and to develop the valuable skills they are going to need for the future.

The placements prepare the students for the transition from education to work and enable them to gain an insight into working life. The work experience provides practice in making job applications and going for interviews and it gives students the opportunity to collect a portfolio of evidence which they can show to prospective employers, highlighting skills such as team working, motivation, problem solving and communication skills.

Mr Chris Fannon, Year 10 Progress Leader, said:

"The work experience is an amazing opportunity for our students. They are able to see and understand the kinds of 'employability' skills and attitudes required by employers, such as problem solving, flexibility and the ability to work with others. Students are able to make important and relevant real-life connections during work experience. They enjoy, and are motivated by, the opportunities that they get to work with employers, thinking more critically about their future career options and better seeing the relevance of their school or college work to future employment. Following the placement, students are clearer about what they want to do in their future careers. This has a strong impact on students' aspirations for the future, as well self-esteem, social skills and enjoyment of learning."

Mr Alex Hren, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's, explained:

"Students' self-confidence, maturity and interpersonal skills are enhanced by the work placements and I have seen attitudes to school of many young people completely transformed as a result of their highly positive experience on a placement. Students broaden their horizons and aspirations and return to school extremely motivated to work hard and do well."

Mr Hren added "We are very grateful to those employers who are kind enough to offer their time to provide our students with the opportunity to make a more informed choice about what career route is best for them."

Link: www.st-paulshigh.net