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Ruffwood Community School


		11-16 schools

		6th form schools

		Colleges

About the case study

This case study illustrates how work-related learning can be provided at key stage 4. It shows how work-related learning is provided through a PSHE programme and off-site opportunities. The individual student examples are illustrative and based on students following different programmes at the school.

The school

Ruffwood School is a mixed 11-16 comprehensive school in an Excellence in Cities area in the North West of England and is a member of the Knowsley 14-19 Collegiate. The school has approximately 1,150 students on roll, 25 per cent of whom have special educational needs without statements.

The school has a work-related learning policy in place, which was recently reviewed. Work-related learning is coordinated by a senior teacher, who is responsible for off-site learning, and by the careers education and guidance manager.

All students undertake an enterprise activity during year 10, supported by the local education business partnership. A partnership of school staff and five local employers ensures that the activities are relevant to the needs of local businesses while remaining focused on student progress.

Careers education and guidance operates within the PSHE framework and helps all students to explore the range of educational and career opportunities open to them. Connexions personnel have a base in the school and the school works with the education business partnership to provide suitable placements for the work experience programme.

Students are made aware of skills for employability and rights and responsibilities at work as part of the PSHE programme, and this learning is reinforced in their work experience planning, debriefing and mock interviews.

Some students opt for the ASDAN youth award and/or have the opportunity to have a reduced GCSE programme in school and to take NVQ courses at the local further education college.

Student examples

Richard’s work-related learning is acquired through his GCSE subjects, work experience and the school’s PSHE programme.

Richard is taking GCSEs in 10 subjects, including GCSE electronics at the local college. As part of his electronics course, Richard designed and made a product for assessment by representatives from industry. As part of his French GCSE he visited France and was involved in an observation of, and discussion about, aspects of the leisure and food industries.

Richard has taken part in a mock interview with a local employer and has gained work experience with a local ICT firm. He recorded his achievements in his academic work and work-related learning in his progress file. He is supported by his Connexions adviser, who took him through a careers guidance interview, and has explored career opportunities in careers education and guidance (CEG) lessons.

Kelly’s work-related learning is acquired through her GCSE programme, which includes applied business, and through work experience.

Kelly’s applied business course includes modules on the functioning of business, and on working roles and conditions. As part of the course, Kelly visited a car factory and produced a comparison of its business structure with that of national high street retailer. She also investigated labour market information.

Kelly received good feedback from her mock interview and was placed in the language department at a local university for her work experience. Debriefing of work experience involved discussing the roles and responsibilities of people she had met. Kelly also attended taster days featuring vocational courses at the local further education college.

The Connexions advisor has worked closely with Kelly since year 9 to develop her awareness of employment opportunities and to link her option choices to her career plan.

Maxine’s work-related learning is acquired through extended work placement, school enterprise activities and in sessions with her Connexions adviser.

Maxine takes a reduced GCSE programme, attends the local further education college for one day a week and is taking an NVQ level 1 course in hairdressing.

At the start of year 10 she attended several taster days at the college to experience different vocational areas before opting for hairdressing. She has an extended work placement in a local salon for one day a week. This direct experience of work has been supplemented in school through her involvement in a jewellery-making enterprise.

At school, Maxine receives extra support from her Connexions personal advisor to discuss her experience at work and to explore employment and progression opportunities. She also has support from her learning mentor and from the Knowsley Collegiate’s college-school link adviser.

Liam’s work-related learning is acquired through his programme of study, which includes the ASDAN youth award, a key skills programme and work experience.

Liam follows a curriculum pathway that includes five GCSE subjects and key skills. The key skills course is practical and activity based. Liam recently achieved the ASDAN bronze award after successfully compiling a portfolio of evidence. The programme involved learning more about the way businesses function, employees’ roles, rights and responsibilities, and investigating labour market information. Liam has taken part in a construction industry skills show and completed a successful work experience with a company dealing with environmental issues.

Liam’s Connexions adviser encouraged him to reflect on and discuss what he had observed during his work experience. He was also advised about career choices and opportunities.