‘A breath of fresh air’: employers praise RGS work experience students
YEAR 10 students spent a week stepping beyond the classroom and into workplaces across the country, gaining valuable experience, developing new skills and making a lasting impression on employers.
The feedback from their placement providers was exceptional, with students described as ’a breath of fresh air, ‘a credit to the school’ and ‘an absolute delight to have on the team’.
Employers praised their confidence, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved, with one commenting that they ‘actually asked questions!’ and another saying students would be welcome back for further experience at any time.
The variety of placements undertaken this year included marine conservation and education, engineering, healthcare, media and sport, with students embracing opportunities to explore careers and challenge themselves in new environments.
Kitty Harrison travelled to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, where she worked with the ocean rangers team at the Ocean Conservation Trust. Her week included feeding marine animals, supporting educational sessions, speaking to visitors about conservation and even taking part in a public dive show in front of aquarium guests.
She also completed a nationally recognised Bronze CREST award project on gene editing in marine conservation, presenting her findings to staff.
Reflecting on the experience, she said: “It was one of the best weeks of my life,” highlighting how it developed her confidence and public speaking skills while showing her the many different routes into a career.
Another student, Alice Beesley, joined Picture News, an educational publishing company whose resources are used in schools across the UK and internationally.
During the week, she contributed to proofreading materials, researching news stories, writing content for a children's newspaper, attending meetings and helping develop educational resources. She gained a valuable insight into the creative and collaborative process behind producing learning materials and enjoyed contributing to a company whose resources she had used herself as a primary school pupil.
At Ripon Golf Club, Rafe Duffield experienced the day-to-day operation of a busy sporting venue. His responsibilities included assisting with competitions, driving golf carts and learning how booking systems are managed. Alongside developing practical skills, he came away with an important lesson about the value of building relationships and professional networks.
Riya Nair spent the week at Specsavers in Ripon, exploring a potential future career in optometry or ophthalmology. She learned how eye tests can detect serious health conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes long before symptoms become noticeable. Through assisting with pre-testing procedures and interacting with customers, she gained confidence and overcame her initial nerves about speaking with members of the public.
Across every placement, students demonstrated maturity, curiosity and professionalism. Many reported that they had developed confidence, improved communication skills and gained a clearer understanding of future career possibilities.
Students and parents alike thanked RGS head of careers, Mr Walker, for helping organise their week. One student said: “A huge thank you to Mr Walker and the school for making this possible. You’ve played a huge role in helping me obtain this placement and so much good has come from it. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and genuinely believe it’ll help me make career choices in the future.”
“My son had a brilliant week, thank you for making these experiences possible,” said one parent.
Work Experience Week continues to be a vital part of our careers programme, giving students the opportunity to explore the workplace, discover new interests and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their education and beyond.
We would like to thank all the employers who generously supported our students and provided such meaningful opportunities. Their guidance and encouragement helped make the week an invaluable experience for everyone involved.
Ripon Grammar School, 16 Clotherholme Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2DG
Tel: 01765 602 647
E: admin@ripongrammar.com
