Work Experience

We encourage and support our older students to gain practical work experience to equip them with the skills they need in later life. We support students to access two work experience week activities per year in Key stages four and five. During their time with us they progress from onsite, highly supported activities to working in the community with minimal input. This aims to build their resilience and confidence to feel able to be contributing members of society in adulthood.

We’re very fortunate to have on the school site our very own café (the Halfway House Café) and shop (The Shop on the Common), both of which provide students with the opportunity to serve members of the public working alongside members of our staff. Not only does this allow them to acquire valuable practical skills associated with working in a hospitality and retail environment but it also helps to develop self-confidence and independence skills.

We also make use of the range of skills within Novalis Trust to provide our students with other types of work experience. This might include working within the IT, administration or training departments or with members of our maintenance team. Other opportunities include working at the local riding stables to acquire horse care skills.

We work closely with the local community to provide a rich and varied range of experiences for our children.