Title
Work Experience
Key Information
Key Information
I am delighted to share details of our Work Experience Programme for 2027. We are thrilled to continue offering this valuable opportunity to our Year 10 students. After listening to feedback from students, parents, and staff, we reintroduced Work Experience in 2025 —and it was a huge success. Over 150 students spent a week with local businesses and charities, gaining skills, making connections, and in some cases even securing summer jobs.
This year, Work Experience will be earlier and will take place from Monday 15th March to Friday 19th March 2027. Spending time in a real workplace helps students develop essential skills and our Aldridge Attributes, while giving them a taste of the world beyond school.
More details will be shared in the autumn term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Careers Leaders (Mr Miele) and Mr Redfern have answered some FAQs regarding the upcoming work experience.
/i/video/FAQ_Video.mp4
Impact & Feedback
Impact & Feedback
At Darwen Vale High School, we believe learning extends beyond the classroom. Our annual Work Experience programme provides students with the opportunity to develop valuable employability skills, explore future career pathways and gain first-hand experience of the workplace.
This year (2026), students completed placements across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, engineering, law, education, manufacturing, hospitality, construction, retail and technology. Throughout the week, students developed confidence, communication skills, teamwork and independence while experiencing the expectations and responsibilities of professional environments.
Work Experience by Numbers
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Over 85% of student feedback was positive.
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Communication, confidence and teamwork were the most commonly developed skills.
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Students gained experience across more than 10 different employment sectors.
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Several students secured ongoing employment opportunities, holiday work and apprenticeship offers as a direct result of their placements.
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Many students reported that the experience helped them make informed decisions about future career ambitions.
Student Voices
"It built my confidence going into new places and helped improve my social skills."
"The employers were very supportive and helpful. I learned skills which will definitely help me in the future."
"It sparked my passion for law and I will continue to pursue it in the future."
"I loved work experience. It was one of the best weeks ever."
"It helped map out my future career choices."
Preparing Students for the Future
Work experience is an important part of our commitment to preparing young people for adult life. Whether students discover a future career, develop essential workplace skills or gain a better understanding of their strengths and interests, every placement offers valuable learning that supports their next steps in education, training and employment.