Year 10 Work Experience

All year 10 scholars have the opportunity to participate in a one-week work experience placement.  The work placements are provided by LEBC and are paid for by Castle Mead Academy. LEBC is a local company that has been organising work placements for students across Leicestershire for more than 20 years, you can find out more about what they do on their website.  LEBC complete health & safety assessments and insurance checks with each employer.

Benefits of work experience 

A week’s work experience placement provides scholars with an opportunity to gain an insight into and experience of the world of work; to develop an understanding of the work environment and expectations of employers; to explore possible career options and to increase their self-understanding, maturity, independence, and self-confidence.  Work experience placements help scholars to improve their personal development and key transferable employability skills such as communication, time management, teamwork, resilience, confidence and problem solving.  Research shows that employers look for prospective employees to have completed work experience. Work experience will form an important element of your post 16 college applications and any future job applications.

Scholars were asked to indicate how their work experience placement assisted the development of their personal skills and qualities.

Quotes from current year 10 scholars

• “I am really grateful to my school and the LEBC for organising my year 10 work experience! I have developed so many new skills and now feel confident that I will pursue a career in law in the future.”
• “Very enjoyable yet challenging and demanding but rewarding.”
• “I am most proud of being able to progressively do more tasks as the week went on.”
• “My experience at my placement has made me consider going to university.”
• “I enjoyed working with the children and it was very fulfilling.  I believe I would like to go into education in the future.”

Quotes from placement providers

• “Amazing initiative skills used. [CMA scholar] was a delight to have on our team.  Outstanding in all areas and showed huge potential.”
• “[CMA scholar] is a lovely young man, very polite and a pleasure to have in my salon.  He connected well with customers and staff.  Nothing was too much for him and he coped well in all areas and used his initiative well.”
• “[CMA scholar] has been a pleasure to work with, polite, punctual and hard working.  We have loved seeing her grow in confidence and ability throughout the week.”
• “It has been fantastic working with [CMA scholar].  Follows all instructions, very respectful, good understanding and good at working in a team and by self.  Good luck for the future and you can do what you put your mind to. Dream big and you will achieve everything you put your mind to – the sky is the limit!  Well done – very proud of you.”