One of the most important aspects of our TY programme is Work Experience.

 

 

 

‘Work experience’ involves spending time as part of the school course,

 

learning at first-hand about life in a workplace. In Muckross Park College There are three ‘Work experience’ weeks during the Year. Two of these are general ‘Work experience’ weeks, whereas, in the third, pupils are required to secure placement in an organisation that provides ‘Social Outreach’ (in its various forms) to the community.

 

The employer agrees to co-operate with the school in taking on a pupil

 

for a one week work experience placement and pupils are indemnified by the schools insurer; Allianz.

 

 

 

The three designated weeks are:

 

 

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE WEEKS 2014/2015 November 3rd-7th 2014 Mar 9th- 13th 2015 May 18th-22nd 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is very important to note that no work experience should be organised outside of the designated weeks.

 

 

 

We have found the practice of girls doing extra Work Experience to be highly disruptive to their (and other pupils’) learning and it is damaging to the integrity of the TY programme as a whole. Absence from school, except where officially sanctioned, will be recorded as such and may have detrimental consequences with regard to future subject choices/placements in senior cycle and may affect the allocation of roles of responsibility in sixth year.

 

Insurance forms that may be required from employers are available here

 

 

 

 

 

Parents and Pupils need to be aware that:

 

 

 

• The placement is part of the school course and offers a great learning opportunity.

• The employer - who has an enterprise to run - is co-operating with the student with limited direct benefit to the enterprise.

• Both employer and student will complete a report at the end of the placement.

• These reports will become important documents for future reference.

   

  Getting the Best from Work Experience

   

  To get the most from a work experience placement, it is worth thinking in terms of three stages. For a pupil to get maximum benefit, it is important that each stage goes well.

   

  The three stages are:

   

  1. PREPARATION

   

 

• Searching for a placement which will suit their interests.

• Presenting themselves to the employer and making a good case for themselves.

• Understanding what the employer expects from them.

   

  2. PLACEMENT

   

 

• Turning up in good time.

• Presenting themselves appropriately.

• Following the instructions given by their supervisor.

• Performing the given tasks.

• Getting on with the other workers.

• Dealing with people in a friendly and courteous way.

   

  3. REFLECTION

   

 

• Thinking about the placement.

• Talking about the placement with family members and friends.

• Writing a report on their placement.

• Discussing their work experience in class and with their teachers.

• Clarifying, in the light of their placement, plans for further work

       experience, for studying and for the future.