Bexley Education Business Partnership

Working and Learning Together

Work Experience in Bexley

Work Experience involves taking on the role of a young worker and engaging in work tasks, using and developing work skills, being involved in work processes and experiencing work environments.

In Bexley, work experience is centrally coordinated by Bexley EBP. A total of 3500 students from all our secondary schools participate in the scheme every year. The EBP ensures all employers are given health and safety checks before the placement begins to ensure a safe environment for students. Placements are obtained through our contacts, school contacts and by students finding their own placements through families and friends or applying directly to businesses. Each school coordinates its own work experience programme and students can contact their work experience coordinator in school with any queries or problems.

Benefits for All

Work experience offers many benefits and opportunities to everyone involved in the scheme. For young people, it enhances their knowledge and understanding of the world of work, increases self-confidence and understanding of teamwork, and helps them to make better-informed decisions about the future. Placements provide practical experience and help to increase motivation, self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

For employers, work experience helps develop recruitment channels for the future and provides good opportunities for employee personal development. It also, importantly, raises a company's profile in the local community.

To read some of the feedback we have received from employers please click here (19KB, PDF file).

Guidance Notes

Quality Standard for Work Experience published by DCSF (326KB, PDF file).
Information for Parents/Carers & Employers (84KB, PDF file).
Further Guidance for Employers (21KB,PDF file).
Step by Step Guide to Work Experience Placements for Students (22KB,PDF file).
Child Protection Policy & Letter of Understanding (34KB,PDF file).
Work Experience Pre-Placement Check Form (120KB,PDF file).

Interested in Offering a Placement?

If you are a business in Bexley or an employee and would like to take one or more work experience students during the year for a two-week placement, please contact Bexley EBP on 020 8836 8348 or email bexley.work-experience@bexley.gov.uk to find out more. You will be providing a student with an essential, all-round learning experience.

News Shopper Challenge 2008

The News Shopper Challenge was a competition launched by the EBP and the News Shopper to all students from the 16 secondary schools across the borough. The students were challenged to write a 400-word article highlighting the importance of work experience to encourage employers who do not already take part in it to do so in the future. This year, the judges voted Harry Purcell from Beths Grammar as the winner. Harry was presented with a certificate and £200 Bluewater voucher at Bexley EBP's Work Experience Celebration in February. He will also have the opportunity to see his article in print in the News Shopper. To view the winning article, click on the following link:

• Work Wonders (107KB, PDF file) - By Harry Purcell, Beths Grammar