Work experience plays a crucial role in preparing young people for their future, particularly in Year 10 and Year 12, when students begin to make important decisions about their Post-16 and Post-18 pathways. It helps students understand the world of work, develop key employability skills, and make informed choices about their next steps.

Through work experience, students can:

• Develop confidence, independence, and maturity
• Build essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
• Gain an understanding of workplace expectations
• Explore careers linked to their interests and aspirations
• Strengthen future applications for college, apprenticeships, or university

Our commitment at King James I Academy

At King James I Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all students benefit from meaningful, high-quality work experience. We recognise that students have different needs, aspirations, and starting points, and our approach is designed to be inclusive, flexible, and supportive.

Work experience is a planned part of our careers programme and is supported by:

• Careers education and preparation activities
• Personal guidance interviews
• Reflection and follow-up to help students learn from their experiences

The Work Experience Guarantee

As part of the new Work Experience Guarantee, all students are entitled to complete two weeks of work experience by the end of Key Stage 4. This guarantee ensures that every young person has meaningful exposure to the world of work, regardless of background or circumstance.

To meet this commitment, King James I Academy is developing a new, inclusive model of work experience that:

• Ensures every student can access their entitlement
• Supports students with SEND and those who may face barriers
• Offers a variety of high-quality experiences, not just traditional placements
• Links work experience directly to students’ future aspirations and career plans

This model may include a combination of traditional placements, employer-led projects, workplace visits, supported experiences, and sector-specific opportunities.

Supporting students’ future aspirations

Our aim is to ensure that work experience:

• Prepares students for Post-16 and Post-18 pathways
• Builds confidence and employability skills
• Helps students make informed and realistic career decisions
• Raises aspirations and supports long-term success

By developing a flexible and inclusive approach, King James I Academy is ensuring that all students receive their full work experience entitlement and are well prepared for the next stage of their education, training, or employment.

Communication for Year 10 and Year 12 parents and carers

If you have a child in Year 10 or Year 12, you will receive regular information and guidance about work experience. This will include:

• Key dates and timelines
• Expectations and requirements
• Support available to students and families
• Guidance on finding and preparing for placements

This information will be shared frequently to ensure families feel confident and well supported throughout the process.

Communication for other year groups

If your child is in a different year group, they will still be informed about any upcoming or relevant work experience opportunities as they arise. This helps students begin thinking early about the world of work and future pathways.

How information will be shared

Work experience information and updates will be communicated through:

• Direct communication with parents and carers
• Information shared with students in school
• Personal Development classrooms, where work experience and careers form a regular part of learning

This approach ensures that all students and families receive clear, timely, and consistent information, and that work experience is fully embedded within the wider careers and personal development programme at King James I Academy.

Unifrog

At King James I Academy, we use the Unifrog platform to manage and support the work experience process in a clear, organised, and student-centred way.

How Unifrog supports Work Experience

Unifrog allows us to bring all parts of the work experience process into one secure online platform, making it easier for students, parents and carers, and staff to stay informed and involved.

Through Unifrog, students can:

• Record their work experience placement details in one place
• Research employers and sectors linked to their interests
• Complete preparation activities before starting their placement
• Reflect on their experience afterwards, identifying skills gained and lessons learned
• Build evidence for their personal profile, CV, and future applications

Parents and carers are able to:

• View and support their child’s work experience journey
• Engage in discussions about placements, preparation, and outcomes
• Stay informed about key stages of the process

Using Unifrog helps ensure transparency and encourages meaningful conversations at home.

Monitoring and safeguarding

For the Academy, Unifrog enables us to:

• Track student participation and progress
• Monitor placements to ensure they are appropriate, safe, and meaningful
• Communicate key information clearly and consistently
• Ensure all students meet their work experience entitlement

Inclusive and aspirational approach

Unifrog supports our inclusive model of work experience by allowing flexibility in how experiences are recorded and recognised. This ensures that all students, including those with SEND, can access opportunities that suit their needs while still developing skills linked to their future aspirations.

Preparing for next steps

By using Unifrog to manage work experience, students are encouraged to:

• Take ownership of their development
• Understand how work experience links to Post-16 and Post-18 pathways
• Reflect on employability skills valued by employers

Overall, Unifrog helps King James I Academy deliver a well-organised, inclusive, and meaningful work experience programme, ensuring every student is supported throughout the process and prepared for their next steps.