Year 12 work experience

Our year 12 work experience week has been an outstanding success, with every year 12 student taking part in meaningful workplace experiences that have helped prepare them for their next steps.

The majority of students secured in-person placements across an impressive range of sectors, including law, healthcare, education, engineering, construction, finance, media, technology, property, architecture, hospitality, beauty, retail, sport, pharmaceuticals, local government, the Civil Service, policing and charities. One student undertaking a placement at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office was even fortunate enough to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of 10 Downing Street, making for a truly unforgettable experience.

Students represented Highlands School exceptionally well throughout the week, and we received overwhelmingly positive feedback from employers. They praised our students' professionalism, enthusiasm, reliability, communication skills, initiative and willingness to learn. Many commented on how quickly students adapted to the workplace and became valued members of their teams.

For students who were unable to secure an in-person placement, live virtual work experience programmes delivered by Vistry and Unifrog ensured they still benefited from high-quality employer engagement. These interactive experiences provided valuable industry insight, practical workplace skills, and direct access to professionals from a variety of sectors. Virtual work experience continues to be a valuable pathway for students to explore careers and develop their employability skills.

It has been particularly encouraging to see a number of students build strong professional networks during the week. Several have already been invited to stay in touch regarding future opportunities. 

A sincere thank you to all the employers who generously supported our students during Work Experience Week. By welcoming them into your workplaces and sharing your knowledge and expertise, you have helped inspire the next generation and provided invaluable insight into the world of work.

Finally, congratulations to all of our year 12 students for embracing this opportunity with maturity, enthusiasm and professionalism. You have been outstanding ambassadors for Highlands School, and we are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved throughout the week. We look forward to seeing how these experiences shape your future aspirations and help you take your next steps with confidence.

Student and employer reflections

Student reflections from across the week:

Employer feedback

Employers were overwhelmingly positive about the professionalism, enthusiasm and maturity demonstrated by Highlands School students throughout the week. Many commented that students quickly became valued members of their teams and represented the school exceptionally well. Some of the feedback we received included:

One engineering employer was so impressed with Hetanshu Lad, that they offered a thank-you voucher and requested permission to feature his placement on their company LinkedIn page to promote the value of work experience partnerships with local schools.

Several employers have already expressed an interest in hosting Highlands School students again next year, while others have offered to support future careers events, talks and workplace visits. Their continued partnership plays a vital role in helping our students develop the confidence, skills and aspirations they need for their futures.