http://www.holyrood-sec.glasgow.sch.uk

Holyrood Secondary

Informationfor Parentsand PupilsN MacLellan

Hospitals, care homes, hospices and GP surgeries. NHS and private dentist surgeries.

Care homes, hospices. Bank, mortgage advisers, financial planners.

Extensive work experience is essential with large andsmall animals, vet practices, pet shops, and farms.

Tutoring in school, paired reading, primary, summerplay schemes, nurseries.

School newsletters, local paper, localradio stations, online blogs.

Hotels, Gyms, Travel agents,local visitor attractions (e.g. Hampden)

Software engineering, web design companies,HP plant in Erskine.

What iswork experience?It is an opportunity for S5 pupils to carry out realwork tasks on employers’ premises and experienceas closely as possible the hours, working conditionsand disciplines they would encounter as employees.

Why is work experienceimportant?� Motivates pupils towards a particular career and can

facilitate future career decisions.� Pupils identify and develop their employability skills.� Pupils gain insight into the realities of working life.� Has a positive impact on pupil’s motivation and

determination to succeed when back at school.� Facilitates the process of completing the UCAS

application personal statement and CV’s.

Links to Higher Education and EmploymentWith fewer jobs and University placesthan before, you have to make yourselfstand out from other applicants and youcan do this through gaining workexperience.

Gaining relevant work experience andwriting about it intelligently in your UCASapplication personal statement may makethe difference between getting aninterview and instant rejection.

Examplesof courseswhichworkexperience

Work Experience – Case Studies

Pupil Case StudyAngela Baillie S5:Before the summer I did workexperience at HeadOffice. I was sorting in the mail roomand fixing the properties online. WorkExperience definitely opens your eyesfor what life is like after school. Itmade me realise how important schoolis and what grades I need to get to getthe job I want.

I also gained work experience at, I started off

brushing floors, cleaning mirrors andmaking tea but now I work there everySaturday!

EmployerArnold ClarkPre-ApprenticeshipProgrammeTheoffer people aged 16 or over theopportunity to work towards arecognised qualification, skilledemployment and greater careerprospects.The programme offers individuals thechance to gain skills throughshadowing motor vehicle techniciansand vehicle refinishers to businessadministrators and customer services.Young people must carry out workexperience within the pre-apprenticeship programme to begranted an apprenticeship followingschool as well as achieving the examentry requirements.

1 2

Jack McDonald13 Boyd Avenue

GlasgowG88 8ZZ

Mobile No: 007808596148E-mail: jdmcdonald007@hotmail-it.com

Holyrood Secondary School, Dixon Road, Glasgow, G42 8AU.Attended 2009-2015

English (N5) 1 Maths (2014) A

Maths (N5) 1 Graphic Communication (2014) A

Music (N5) 1 English (2015) B

French (N4) 2 Physics (2015) B

Graphic Communication (N5) 2 Physical Education (2015) B

Physical Education 2 Music (2014) B

Physics 2 Human Biology (2015) C

Chemistry 3

I worked within various departments in Asda stocking shelves, processing orders,

customer enquiries and answering telephone calls. I shadowed cashiers and helped with the cashing

up procedures.I shadowed various members of staff and was responsible for cash handling,

customer service and customer telephone calls. This placement gave me great insight into financialservices and I gained practical experience dealing with the public.

I shadowed chartered financial planners on

pensions, investments and mortgages and developed my knowledge in these areas. I was involved

in meeting clients, analysing data and shadowing all different team members. I gained a wealth of

experience and insight into an industry that I want to develop a career in.

I was a member of the 2012 Malawi team, a partnership project which involved fundraising, building

and refurbishing classrooms. I worked as part of a team to benefit the education system in Malawi as

well as developing my own personal skills.I was an S6 Prefect which involved maintaining the high standards of the school and helping toorganise social events such as discos, ceilidhs and fundraising events.

I have achieved the NPA Scottish bagpipes level 4 and I’m now working on my level 5 qualification.

This pupil secured a modernapprenticeship with MorganStanley in which he will gainfinancial qualifications whilstgetting paid.A fantastic opportunity that wasmade possible through workexperience in Holyrood!

Example of a S6 CVupon leaving Holyrood

The first thing you need to do is research possible jobs you are interested in, speak to your

family members, teachers, friends about this too.

Go on to the World of Work website www.myworldofwork.co.uk which has an A-Z list of jobsand careers and the necessary work experience and the qualifications required to do these.

If you need help with this stage you can ask your Pastoral Care

Teacher to arrange a meeting with the Careers Adviser.

Finding your Work Experience Placement

Finding your own placement allows pupils to seek

their own work experience by approaching

companies/establishments with

and a which is provided by Pupils want to make a good first impression uponrequesting a placement and approach a potentialemployer wearing a blazer and full school uniformand hand out their CV (similar to the one featuredin this booklet) as well as the work experienceform for employers to complete.

In the past Holyrood pupils have secured place-

ments at and

labs. These are just some

examples of the Work Experience possibilities that

are available to you if you go out and find them!

Changing Your PlacementOnce your placement has been confirmed you should not request to change this. Please besure when you are requesting a job that you are happy with this and you realise you cannotchange it for something else at a later date (due to time constraints).

September 2014� S5 work experience assemblies, all S5 issued with self-found work experience forms.

October 201420�� October – deadline for work experience submissions.

December 2014� Glasgow City Council health and safety check process begins *

January 2015� Careers, world of work, work experience fayre. Pupil and parent information

evening on 14�� January. Key information – must attend

March 2015� Work Experience lesson in PSHE: how to write about work experience in your

CV/personal statement.

April 2015� S5 assembly on health and safety in the work place and preparing for your

placement.

� Work Experience Lesson in PSHE: How to complete the work experience log bookand how to write a thank you letter.

May 2014� Distribution of bus passes.

June 2014Work experience week starting 15�� June 2015.

* Once confirmed, an information letter, placement detailsform, and parental permission (medical) form will be postedto your home address which you should complete as soon aspossible and return to Miss MacLellan.

When you are out on work experienceYou MUST complete your Log Book each day and get it signed by your supervisor/linemanager each day.The Log Book allows you to describe what you have learned, what tasks you havecompleted and the skills you have gained.When you are back at school, the Log Book will allow you to reflect on the experience youhave gained and it is vital to help you write your UCAS personal statement. Your PastoralCare teacher will request to read your Log Book when completing your UCAS reference.

If you have not received a LogBook (or you have lost your copy)you must see Miss MacLellanprior to going out on workexperience.

Holyrood Secondary

Work Experience

Log Book

Holyrood Secondary

Work Experience

Log Book

Holyrood Secondary

Work Experience

Log Book