Work Experience
As part of our careers' education programme, all students in Year 10 participate in two weeks' work experience. This is during February but is launched to the students before they break up for the summer holidays.
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Work Experience Coordinator – Mrs Fiona Saunders Fiona.Saunders@crookhorn.hants.sch.uk 02392 251120 ext. 251 |
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Year 10 Work Experience
Parent and Student Guide
This year, the Year 10 work experience will take place on Monday 2nd – Friday 13th February 2026.
Introduction
Following on from our recent letters about work experience, this guide has been produced to help you support your child and answer the questions you may have about work experience. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Fiona Saunders, our Work Experience Coordinator, via email Fiona.saunder@crookhorn.hants.sch.uk or by telephone 02392 251120 ext.251
If your child has not yet secured a work placement, they will need to begin the process of contacting employers. Using their initiative to find a work experience placement is one of the best ways for students to experience the world of work. This means that they are more likely to get a placement they really want, and they will gain valuable experience towards applying for future training or employment. Support is available for those students who might struggle to secure a placement.
Important points to share with the employer are:
- Dates of placements: All students in Year 10 are going to be on work experience from the 2nd to the 13th of February 2026.
- Employers must have a current valid Employers Liability Insurance.
- Once you have shared their details with the college using the Unifrog Placements Tool, they will receive an email from Unifrog so that they can input their information.
- The deadline to have paperwork completed on Unifrog is Friday 24th October 2025. This is to allow enough time for the necessary checks and arrangements to be carried out by the college.
- We are using Unifrog (www.unifrog.org) to manage the administration of the work experience programme. Unifrog will collect information from the employer about their Risk Assessment and Health & Safety policy, as well as get agreement from yourselves for the placement to go ahead. Students have all been given access to Unifrog and will now be able to use the Unifrog placement tool, which means they can log on and access the area of the platform that will be used to manage the administration of their work experience.
What is the Unifrog work experience tool?
- Unifrog's placements tool is designed to make it much easier to manage the admin behind placements. Here is a guide on how it works in detail, but the tool is a series of forms that must be filled out sequentially. Finishing one form triggers an email to the next person in the chain to fill out the subsequent form.
- All the forms are sent by email, so it is important that everyone involved in a placement has the right email entered for them, and that everyone checks their email. To help avoid issues, Unifrog shows each person involved everyone else’s email addresses. If you aren't getting the automated emails that the system generates, please check your junk folders, and add noreply@unifrog.org to your safe sender list / whitelist.
The Unifrog Placement Tool
If your child has already found an employer willing to offer them a placement, they will need to complete the following steps:
1. Go to www.unifrog.org
Students then need to log in. Their username is their school email address, and they should know their password, but if they have forgotten this, they can reset it from the log-in page. Once logged in, scroll down to “Exploring Pathways” and click on the “Placements” button.
2. They will then be taken to the Student Initial Form to enter all the details of the employer and placement.
This form captures: type (in‐person), employer / organisation name, start and end dates, contact person and email, address, how the student will travel, whether they live at home, any medical issues, and emergency/contact information (parent/guardian) etc. The student must also agree to rules (safety, confidentiality, absence, etc.
3. Submitting the Student form triggers a chain of further forms
After the student marks theirs “finished”/ “add placement”, Unifrog automatically sends emails/forms next to:
- Employer: to fill in details confirming the placement (duties, risk assessment, insurance, health & safety etc.).
- Parent/Guardian: to give consent for the student to do the placement.
The Crookhorn College Work Experience Coordinator: (Mrs. Saunders) is prompted to review the information provided and give final approval.
Further Support
If you need further guidance on work experience and using the Unifrog Placement Tool, please contact Mrs Saunders, our Work Experience Coordinator, who will be working with Year 10 students throughout the work experience process. Fiona.Saunders@crookhorn.hants.sch.uk.
work experience FAQs
Why do year 10 students do work experience?
Work experience is a vital part of students' career education and a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience of the workplace, develop skills, improve confidence, and help with training and learning decisions after GCSEs.
When does work experience take place?
Work Experience takes place from Monday 2nd February to Friday 13th February 2026 (students will finish on the 12th if you are on the ski trip).
How long is the placement?
Most placements last the two full college weeks (Monday to Friday both weeks). If the employer is unable to offer work experience each day – for instance a hairdressers that is closed on Monday’s – please contact Mrs. Saunders Fiona.saunders@crookhorn.hants.sch.uk
Is Work Experience compulsory at Crookhorn College?
Yes, it is part of the curriculum and our careers' education programme. It helps students explore future careers, develop employability skills, and experience adult working life first-hand.
What is a work experience placement?
Students go out to work for an employer, observing and conducting suitable tasks in much the same way as any employee, with the emphasis on learning from the experience. Work experience provides opportunities for learning about the skills, behaviours, careers, roles, and structures that exist within a workplace.
What’s in it for students?
Employers are keen to recruit young people with a good mix of qualifications, practical skills, and personal qualities. Work experience can help students to develop employability skills they require, such as self-management, communication and problem-solving. Other benefits may include additional experience to add to application forms for jobs or college or an introduction to a part-time job or Apprenticeship.
Where can students do their work experience?
With suitable employers in England who hold the correct insurance. Unfortunately, this rules out most sole traders as they normally don’t hold Employers Liability Insurance, which all employers must have.
Can students do two separate placements?
We like students to do two weeks with one employer as usually the first week is about familiarising themselves with the workplace. Occasionally, if an employer cannot offer a two-week placement, we may allow this, but please speak to Mrs. Saunders if this is the case.
What days/times do students need to be at the placement?
They will follow the employer’s working hours, which they will tell you on their employer form they complete on Unifrog – usually like a normal workday (e.g., 9am–5pm). The College expectation is that all students will undertake a minimum of 25 hours work experience each week.
Finding a work experience placement
How do students find a placement?
Finding work experience can feel tricky, but the key is starting early and exploring all available options. Most work experience placements are organised by students and their families, although we may be able to offer support or provide a list of recommended businesses.
What are the main ways to arrange a work experience?
- Through family, friends, or contacts.
- Applying directly to an employer e.g. primary school, nursery, leisure centre, retail.
- Using resources like the work experience coordinator or online platforms.
Why do students have to find their own work experience?
Using their initiative to find a work experience placement is one of the best ways for students to experience the world of work. It means that they are more likely to get a placement they really want, and they will gain valuable experience towards applying for future training or employment.
Can students complete their work experience with a family member?
Yes, but only if it is a genuine work experience opportunity and the employer must have Employers Liability Insurance in place.
What if they don’t know what they want to do in the future?
That is fine. They should choose a placement that builds general skills like teamwork, communication, or problem-solving.
What kind of places can they go to?
Almost any workplace. Offices, retail, healthcare, trades, education, hospitality, etc.—if they accept students and have the right insurance.
What if we cannot find anywhere to take them?
Speak to Mrs. Saunders, the work experience coordinator. The college may be able to help you brainstorm ideas or support you in contacting employers or have some contacts they could share.
Can they complete your work experience outside the local area?
Yes, but you will need to consider travel and safety – who they will stay with during the placement, such as a relative. You will be asked about this as part of the Unifrog process and must also get college approval in advance.
Can they work abroad?
No, because the health and safety guidelines are different.
Can they work in a different County?
Yes, but we will need to liaise with you about where they will be staying etc.
Does work experience have to be related to the career they want to do?
It does not matter if a placement cannot be found in the exact field that they may want to enter in the future – all workplace experiences will help them develop key employability skills and provide them with a valuable experience of what it is like to go to work.
Can they go to the same placement as their friend?
Sometimes, but most employers prefer to take one student at a time.
Is there a list of employers who have taken students before?
Yes, ask Mrs. Saunders if she can suggest employers.
Application & preparation
Do students need to contact the employer themselves?
Yes – or with your help and support.
If we email an employer, what should we say?
Emails are a great way to contact employers, especially if you cannot get hold of a phone number, or you are getting in touch outside of working hours. Remember that sending an email is the same as sending a digital letter, the same rules for letter writing apply to writing an email. You will need an addressee, standard English, paragraphs, and a sign-off to demonstrate that you are professional and an effective communicator.
Have a look at the example of a brief enquiry email below for some guidelines:
Dear (add name if known) or Work Experience Coordinator
Request for work experience from the 2nd to 13th February 2026
My Name is (insert name), and I am a Year 10 student at Crookhorn College studying…
I am enquiring to see if I could take part in work experience from the 2nd to 13th February 2026 to learn more about the world of work and I would really like to do this at your company as I have a genuine interest in (what the company does).
Please can you let me know if this is possible.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards
(insert name)
If the employer agrees to the work experience, send a reply:
Thank you so much for agreeing to host me on work experience. My college uses Unifrog to manage the administration of the work experience programme, including gathering necessary information and obtaining consent for placements. After I complete my form on Unifrog, you will automatically be sent a form to complete.
What if they don't hear back?
Follow up with the employer if you haven't heard back within a week or two.
What should we do when an employer has agreed to host them?
Thank the employer and let them know that they will be sent your details using Unifrog, which the college is going to use to manage the administration of the work experience programme, including gathering necessary information and obtaining consent for placements.
Do they need to write a CV or cover letter?
Sometimes yes – it depends on the employer. Mrs. Martin (careers) will provide help with this if needed, or you can use the information on Unifrog.
Do they have to go for an interview?
Some employers may want to meet or speak to them first. It’s a good chance to show their enthusiasm.
Will I need to organise their transport?
Yes.
What do I do if they get ill during the placement week?
Let both the employer and college know as soon as possible—just like calling in sick to college.
Can they change placements if they don’t like it?
Only in serious cases. Speak to Mrs Saunders if there are any issues.
What if they need safety boots or overalls?
Most employers will provide them, but sometimes students need to provide their own boots.
rules and expectations
Will they be paid?
No – work experience is unpaid, but they gain valuable skills and references.
What happens if they are late or do not turn up?
You must inform the employer and college. Repeated lateness or absence could lead to consequences back at college.
Will someone from college check on them?
Yes. A staff member will check in with them and the employer during the placement and will also arrange a visit where possible.
Will they have to record what they are doing on work experience?
Yes, we will be using Unifrog for that and will tell students about this in a PSHRE lesson.
help and support
Who can help them find a placement if we need help?
Mrs Saunders, our Work Experience Coordinator, can give advice.
Can teachers help them contact businesses?
They may be able to suggest employers, but students will need to contact the employers themselves.
What should they do if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable?
Contact Crookhorn College immediately. We take all safeguarding concerns seriously.
Will their work experience go on their CV?
Yes – it is an important thing to include on CVs or applications for college, jobs, or apprenticeships.
What if they have questions?
If you or your child has any questions or concerns about the work experience process or your placement, speak to Mrs Saunders, who is in the Careers Office near the Sports Hall.