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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Work Shadowing NOT Work Experience

19 replies

NotEnoughTime · 02/04/2015 14:05

If anyone could give me advice I would be very grateful.

My DS, Year 8, age 13 has been told by his school that he has to do a work shadowing day. This is not work experience as he would not be able to actually do any work due to his age.

Neither mine or my Husband's employer will allow him to shadow us at work due to the sensitive nature of our jobs.

All the friends that I can think of are having to take their own DC into work with them so I don't feel it is fair to ask them to take my DS too.

Both my DS and I have tried a few local places but without any luck as have been told that he is too young due to Health and Safety etc etc.

So does anyone have any suggestions please?

OP posts:

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 02/04/2015 14:09

Could he shadow a teacher at the school? Or the caretaker/office staff?

Heels99 · 02/04/2015 14:10

Can you ask school where people went last year?

AuntieStella · 02/04/2015 14:10

You are the MNetter who works for MI5 and I claim my £5!

More seriously, does you/DH's workplace have any less sensitive areas where a shadow might be permitted, and do you have friends working in that bit? Offer a huge bribe thank you present.

Or explain your difficulty to the school and ask if DC could shadow any staff member there

Takver · 02/04/2015 14:50

Do you do facebook? Could you post on there and ask if any of your friends would be willing to have him - it wouldn't be the same as asking individuals, as people wouldn't have to say 'no', just not respond if they weren't interested. I'd happily volunteer if I saw someone asking on fb (so long as I knew their dc was reasonably easygoing!).

I'd also agree re. asking school - it must be a really common problem, I would think loads of jobs wouldn't allow a 13 yr old shadow-er (anything from carers because of privacy issues to builders because of site safety).

SurlyCue · 02/04/2015 14:57

Im sure the school could arrange for him to shadow someone in the school. What are his interests? He could shadow the secretary, maintenance person, kitchen staff, teaching staff, or even the principal.

Heels99 · 02/04/2015 15:06

If there are 100 kids in the year group they can't all shadow someone in school can they? Presumably the school want them toefind external shadowing opportunities but I cannot think where, places that offer work experience wouldn't take on a 13 year old for a day andcrb checks may be needed as he is a minor. Could try libraries, primary school, museum, council offices,

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 02/04/2015 15:14

Try the CSR department of any big local employers or the manager/HR manager of smaller organisations that have customers on site like solicitors offices, accountancy firms, supermarkets, department stores, banks, newspaper office, radio stations, local council etc. Their risk assessments are more likely to allow this sort of thing because they have already considered the risks to customers on site.

You can also try charities, hospital radio, churches etc.

Original poster

NotEnoughTime · 02/04/2015 15:21

Thanks everyone-some really good ideas as I was totally stumped

Sorry AuntyStella nothing as exciting as MI5

OP posts:

LynetteScavo · 02/04/2015 15:32

Where are you located? What is your DS interested in? I could tell DH to let him follow him around at work all day if you are in the midlands.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 02/04/2015 15:37

We have had a few work shadowers here,my ds was one of them.
It was unbelievably boring for them tbh.
Try leisure centres, or my Dd did hers at an animal rescue centre.
My friends Dd went to the food bank.

SurlyCue · 02/04/2015 17:18

If there are 100 kids in the year group they can't all shadow someone in school can they?

No but lets imagine the majority will be going with their parents or friends/ family.

ragged · 02/04/2015 17:54

I have a related question... shadowing doctors or nurses and similar (medical applicant experience). How does that work?? Isn't it likely to be too sensitive or personal, wouldn't most patients say no? How does it work in reality?

Heels99 · 02/04/2015 17:56

Most patients would say no to a 13 year old I imagine which is why they don't shadow Drs or nurses at that age.

Original poster

NotEnoughTime · 03/04/2015 10:18

LynetteScavo Unfortunately we live a bit too far away (Bucks) to make it work but I really appreciate your kind offer-very sweet of you

Thanks everyone-I'm sure we will get something from all of your ideas

OP posts:

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 03/04/2015 12:06

Where abouts in Bucks? Loads of big employers in Milton Keynes who might let him shadow.

Essexmum69 · 03/04/2015 13:47

Work shadowing for my hospital envolves registering via the volunteers department. Under 16s are not allowed.

ragged · 03/04/2015 14:54

thanks Essex, I shouldn't have posted here because folk got stuck on the age. I found a good NHS page which also explained a lot, including that some hospitals don't allow any shadowing, too. There's so much talk on Student Room about Shadowing that I guess it is ordinary enough over all.

Maladicta · 03/04/2015 15:05

Suspect our boys are at the same school! At the meeting about it they said to get in touch if you can't find anywhere.

woodhill · 03/04/2015 15:10

if it is where mine were/are it also occurs in the 6th form. I was lucky as ds could go to my workplace.

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