Review Date: May 2011
Review Officer: D Lewis
Work Related Learning Policy
Rationale:
Definition
Work-related learning is defined as: planned activity that uses the context of work to
develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful in work, including learning through
the experience of work, learning about work and working practices, and learning the
skills for work. Work-related learning is education For work, About work, Through
work.
Rationale
Within a broad and balanced education, all young people need work-related learning. It
is an essential part of fully preparing for an adult life in which they can contribute to
the country’s economic well being.
Work-related learning develops student’s employability and helps to prepare them for
life in the increasingly complex and changing world of work. It improves motivation by
helping students see how their school work relates to the world of work. It also
prepares students for further education and training, assisting them to make informed
decisions about careers and courses. Work-related learning is as important for
students who are going on to higher education as it is for students who are going
straight on to the world of work.
The QCA framework (DCSF, 2001) splits Work-related learning into 9 elements of
provision for learners. Learners should:
1) Recognise, develop and apply their skills for enterprise and employability.
2) Relate their own abilities, attributes and achievements to career intentions, and
make informed choices based on an understanding of available options.
3) Develop awareness of the extent and diversity of opportunities in learning and
work.
4) Use their experiences of work to extend their understanding of careers and
work.
5) Learn from contact with people who work.
6) Learn about how and why businesses operate.
7) Learn about working practices and environments.
8) Undertake tasks and activities set in work contexts.
9) Engage with ideas, challenges and applications from the business world.
Aims:
Our aims at Dormston are to provide pupils with an excellent all-round education
developing the whole person, which will serve as a basis for a successful and fulfilled
future as students, employees and employers.
Aims:
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focus on achievement as integral part of the school.
ensure that work-related learning has a high profile throughout the curriculum.
encourage all curriculum areas to make links to the world of work.
promote the value of vocational qualifications.
provide all key stage 4 pupils with a period of work experience.
carry out tasks and activities in work contexts across the curriculum.
see how pupil’s own abilities and attributes relate to possible careers (and help
pupils to make informed choices about careers based on understanding of the
alternatives).
Procedures:
Management
Deborah Lewis is responsible for co-ordinating the whole-school work related learning
programme and is responsible to Simon Carroll, deputy head. Appendix 1 and 2 shows
the current provision of WRL in School against the QCA framework objectives.
In KS3 and 4, tutors teach the entitlement programme in Life Skills lessons, through
recording, review and planning activities and special events. Depending on the course,
some subject staff teach aspects of their courses through work related contexts
where appropriate. Administrative support is available for work experience in year 10.
Curriculum
The work-related learning programme includes lessons, work experience and special
events for KS3 and KS4 pupils. Preparation and learning for work experience takes
place in careers lessons and other appropriate parts of the curriculum. At KS4 a range
of GCSE courses in vocational and academic subjects are available in addition to the
statutory core curriculum.
Some students may follow a work-related course linked to
a local FE college. At KS3, Curriculum Collaboration Days are centred around
transferable skills and include information about linked Careers.
Partnerships
An annual partnership is negotiated between the school and Connexions, identifying the
contributions each will make to work-related learning. The School Careers Advisor is
Iain Cole. A partnership has begun with the local Education and Business Link
Organisation (EBLO) and local employers.
Resources
Funding for running costs is allocated in the annual budget. Sources of external funding
are actively sought.
Evaluation:
The effectiveness of the Work Experience Programme is evaluated annually.
Appendices
Links with other policies
This policy is underpinned by the school’s policies for teaching and learning, assessment,
recording and reporting achievement, careers education and guidance, equal
opportunities, health and safety, and special needs.
Appendix 1: Provision of WRL against QCA framework objectives
QCA Framework
Objective
Recognise, develop
and apply their skills
for enterprise and
employability.
Relate their own
abilities, attributes
and achievements
to career intentions,
and make informed
choices based on
an understanding of
available options.
Develop awareness of
the extent and
What do we do?
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Vocational courses and modules within curriculum
areas (KS4)
Sedge city project (KS3)
Dragon’s den activity (KS4)
Mock Interviews and interview prep (KS4)
Work experience application and appraisals (KS3/4)
Real game (KS3)
Fast tomato (KS3)
Careers interviews (Connexions)
Options Evening/assemblies
Options module (Life Skills y9)
Y8-11 PSHE SoW
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Real game (KS3)
Fast tomato/options SoW (KS3)
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diversity of
opportunities in
learning and work.
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Work Experience process (KS3)
Use their experiences
of work to extend their
understanding of
careers and work.
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Work Experience preparation process (KS4)
Work Experience reflection process (KS4)
Learn from contact
with people who work.
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Work Experience (KS4)
Learn about how
and why businesses
operate.
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Dragon’s Den activity (KS4)
Learn about working
practices and
environments.
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Work Experience prep/reflection sessions (KS4)
Work experience week (KS4)
Undertake tasks
and activities set in
work contexts.
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Real Game (KS3)
Dragons Den (KS4)
Engage with ideas,
challenges and
applications from the
business world.
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Real game (KS3)
Dragons Den (KS4)
Mapped October 2009
Appendix 2: Curriculum provision of WRL
Elements of WRL
1.
Recognise, develop and
apply their skills for
enterprise and
employability
Subjects which address the elements at KS3/4
Science KS3 and 4
Drama KS4
Textiles KS4
MFL KS4
RE KS3
History KS3
Dance KS4
English KS4
Media Studies KS4
Citizenship KS4
Business Studies KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
Graphics KS4
2. Use their experience
of work, including
work experience and
part-time jobs, to
extend their
understanding of work
3. Learn about the way
business operates,
working roles and
conditions, and rights
and responsibilities in
the work place
4. Develop awareness of
the extent and
diversity of local and
national employment
opportunities
Art KS4
ICT KS4
Core PE KS4
GCSE PE KS4
Maths KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Music KS4
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
Club 2000 KS4
Science KS4
Textiles KS4
MFL KS4
Citizenship KS4
Business Studies KS4
English KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
ICT KS4
Graphics KS4
GCSE PE KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Music KS4
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
Work Experience KS4
Connexions and Review and Guidance interviews KS4
Science KS3 and 4
Textiles KS4
MFL KS3
History KS3
Dance KS4
English KS4
Media Studies KS4
Citizenship KS4
Business Studies KS4
Food KS4
ICT KS4
Geography KS3
Psychology KS4
GCSE PE KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
MFL KS3
Dance KS4
Citizenship KS4
Textiles KS4
English KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
Geography KS3
Health and Social Care KS4
5. Relate their own
abilities, attributes
and achievements to
career intentions and
make informed choices
based on an
understanding of the
alternatives
6. Undertake tasks and
activities set in work
contexts
7. Learn from contact
with personnel from
different employment
sectors
8. Learn from experience
(direct or indirect) of
working practices and
environments
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
Textiles KS4
Business Studies KS4
Art KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Music KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
Connexions interviews KS4
Science KS3 and 4
Textiles KS4
MFL KS4
Dance KS3 and 4
Drama KS4
Media Studies KS4
Citizenship KS4
English KS4
Business Studies KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
Graphics KS4
Food KS4
Art KS3
ICT KS4
Geography KS3 and 4
Health and Social Care KS4
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3
Science KS3
Textiles KS4
MFL KS3
RE KS4
Dance KS3 and 4
Media Studies KS4
Citizenship KS4
Business Studies KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS4
Science KS3
Textiles KS4
MFL KS4
History KS3
Dance KS3 and 4
Drama KS4
Citizenship KS4
Business Studies KS4
Food KS4
ICT KS4
Core PE KS4
9. Engage with ideas,
challenges and
applications from the
business world
Mapped: February 2007
Signatures:
Headteacher
Chair of Governors
Date of approval by Governors
GCSE PE KS4
Health and Social Care KS4
Music KS4
Child Development KS4
Careers Programmes/Life Skills KS3 and 4
Textiles KS4
Resistant Materials KS4
Art KS4
Health and Social Care KS4