On-the-job experience for Ormiston Six Villages Academy pupils

More than 100 Year 10 pupils from Ormiston Six Villages Academy joined Chichester College for a week at the start of April.

They were swapping the classroom for the workplace, enjoying a week of work experience across a range of college areas - from marketing to animal care, engineering to sport. They spent three days working in a professional environment, learning about the day-to-day functions of their chosen industry area - as well as experiencing, first-hand, the world of work. They also sampled life as a college student, spending time in lectures, as well as participating in a Careers Conference. There they took part in a number of workshops to enhance and develop their employability skills, which ranged from CV building to interview techniques. Paul Slaughter, Principal at Ormiston Six Villages Academy, said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity which has helped to inspire our pupils as they plan the next steps in their journey. “It is important for young people to have the opportunity to experience what a normal working day is like, but we also wanted them to discover what their post-16 options could look like and what opportunities are there for them in the future. “And thanks to the teams at Chichester College and Coast to Capital working with our careers’ team, it has been made possible. “The feedback from pupils has been very positive. It’s opened their eyes and they have said they want to come back to school and focus on what they need to achieve to reach their next step.” Lisa Humphries, Chichester College Group Director of Student Services and Pastoral Support, added: “It was our pleasure to welcome the students from Six Villages to Chichester College. “Right across the board, the college supported the pupils and our staff have been so generous with their time, ensuring the pupils were able to get the most from their experience. “It is the first time we have run a project like this, and we are really pleased with how it went. We are delighted with the feedback we have received, from the pupils, the academy and parents as well.”