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AIBU?

To think sending (academic Yr 10 pupils out on a weeks work experience is a waste of time).

294 replies

smokepole · 07/07/2014 12:15

I can understand the point of work experience, for some pupils but surely the more academic pupils would be better off having the week in the classroom. My DDs 2 grammar form teacher agreed with me, along with all the difficulty in finding work placements and insurance implications. It surely can be of limited benefit for students who will mostly go in to higher education. I believe schools should be able to decide which students, would benefit from work experience . The schools should also be able to decide to opt out of the scheme, if they think there 15 year old pupils would benefit more in a classroom environment.

On the other hand for non academic pupils, it can be a pleasant change.
This was the case for pupils from DDs 1 secondary school, who in many cases actually enjoyed their week in industry. It is also more relevant to those students as most will not go in to higher education and therefore, helps them gain relevant experience early.

OP posts:
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smokepole · 07/07/2014 12:17

Their 15 year old pupils would benefit.

OP posts:
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Youdontneedacriminallawyer · 07/07/2014 12:17

That's a bit bloody condescending OP!!

My academic DD spent some time working in a primary school. It made her realise how hard teachers work, and helped her decide that teaching isn't for her. I'd say that made the week quite useful.

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NigellasDealer · 07/07/2014 12:19

i find that a bit off tbh -

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StanleyLambchop · 07/07/2014 12:19

Maybe some pupils don't yet know what they want to do, and it can help with that. My nephew did not really know, one week in an office environment made him realise he could not stand being indoors all the time, so he went on to study for a career which gets him out and about. So in that respect YABU.

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usualsuspectt · 07/07/2014 12:19

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jopickles · 07/07/2014 12:20

but surely not all academically able pupils go into higher education and if they do they will maybe still look for part time work. A lot of my friends got part time jobs from their work experience providers and I enjoyed every minute of the experience and it highlighted that I was ready for work after leaving school and made the decision that I didn't want to go into higher education. I think it opens up so much more than just working life experience such as social aspects and choices kids may not realise they have so I don't think it is a bad thing. Surely bright kids need a break from the classroom as well

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LastTango · 07/07/2014 12:20

And are YOU, OP, willing to tell each parent whether their child is 'academic' or 'non-academic'. Best of luck with that.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 07/07/2014 12:20

Well if you want to get in to certain university courses you need to have relevant work experience in you r personnal statement.
As a work experience provider some very academic pupils need to experience work to discover that life is not all plain sailing.

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WaffleWiffle · 07/07/2014 12:21

I did my Yr 10 work experience in a university lab. The same lab I ended up working in as an undergraduate doing my degree.

Work experience can easily be academic.

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GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 07/07/2014 12:21

I did my work experience in a solicitors' firm. It was extremely useful and also gave me some contacts to find other work experience when in 6th form. I think you are completely wrong; work experience is invaluable much more so that a bog standard school week.

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Nanny0gg · 07/07/2014 12:21

We all have to work one day in some form or other. And I have to say, when working for a retail head office, my hardest-to-train trainees were graduates! (sweeping generalisation)

My grammar-attending DC had a very useful work placement, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also stood him in good stead for vacation and weekend working.

YABVVU

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lainiekazan · 07/07/2014 12:22

YABU.

Ds is an "academic" as you call it sort of boy, but work experience was brilliant for him. Yes, it was a pain finding anyone to take a 15-year-old, but work experience is about so much more than trying a career.

For ds it was about managing to get a bus to somewhere on time, and finding the place (no mean task given that he is Donny Daydream). He had to get along with unfamiliar adults and members of the public. In fact, he had to be grown up for two weeks.

The work experience place really liked him and invited him back to work there in the holidays after GCSEs, which ds is now doing and loving it.

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RobinHumphries · 07/07/2014 12:22

How will they know what to study in higher education without having a career in mind? My husband thought he wanted to be an accountant, did work experience and changed his mind.

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soverylucky · 07/07/2014 12:22

This reply has been deleted

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Unexpected · 07/07/2014 12:23

You sound incredibly patronising. Why is it a "pleasant change" for non-academic students but "limited benefit" for the more academic ones. Going to university does not mean that they won't eventually end up having to do some actual work you know! For students who don't know what they want to do, it can also provide some ideas of what direction they might like to pursue. DS1 (top sets) has just finished a week of work experience and chatting to his friends most of them were shocked at how tired they felt and how much effort was involved in just getting themselves to and from their destinations and concentrating on something new for the length of a work day. Valuable learning experience!

What about the (presumably) very academic students hoping to do medicine/veterinary science etc who need every bit of WE they can get in order to have an advantage over all the other students vying for the same places?

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noblegiraffe · 07/07/2014 12:23

I've taught many an academic pupil whose week in the real world has been an eye-opener. Actually working from 9-5 is quite tough for them.

I'm looking forward to hearing my top set's experiences, whether it be working in a supermarket, or a top computer game company. And they will learn from each others' experiences too. The ones who didn't bother organising a placement who will be put to work filing at school will also learn a valuable lesson.

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Sleepytea · 07/07/2014 12:23

I think it's very good experience for all children it gives them an insight into the working world. I remember doing work experience in hospital biochemistry labs and it helped reinforce my choice to do science as a career. I know other went to a primary school, offices, accountancy firms, etc... It's not just doing manual labour.

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BananaBumps · 07/07/2014 12:24

Try working with some highly academic employees who haven't had work experience! It can be a nightmare.

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GnomeDePlume · 07/07/2014 12:25

Work experience has been hugely beneficial for my academic DD. Like a lot of people who have never experienced it she had preconceived ideas about work. She would happily say that she could never work in an office despite never having experienced it, only having seen office work on television.

I was able to take her on a business trip and also she had a fortnight's work experience elsewhere.

Now she has a much clearer idea. 'Office work' is no longer something she dismisses. She now knows that an office is just a place to work. It is what is done which makes work interesting not where it is done.

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Mrsjayy · 07/07/2014 12:26

So are academic children not going to work then ordo you just think work experience is for those girls who aregoing to go into childcare or th e boys who might lay brick s, dont be ridiculous or condescending

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NobodyLivesHere · 07/07/2014 12:26

erm, so only those thick kids who aren't going to HE need to learn about working???
I went to uni, and i found my work experience very valuable (in that it taught me that teaching was NOT for me!) but all lessons are valuable. YABU. And a snob.

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NigellasDealer · 07/07/2014 12:27

'academic and non - academic' why not just say 'clever and thick'?

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teeththief · 07/07/2014 12:27

Why on earth would it have limited benefits for those who go in to further education?? Will they not have to work one day just like the 'lesser mortals'? Un fucking believable what goes through some people's heads sometimes!

Of course your darling little academics are much too clever to do a week's work like the rest of their peers

YABVU!

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STOPwiththehahaheheloling · 07/07/2014 12:27

Well some of the 'academics' wont get the grades for going to higher education so a weeks work experience might come in a lot more useful than expected.

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babybarrister · 07/07/2014 12:27

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