G Band: Monday, 19th April 2027– Friday, 23rd April 2027

T Band: Monday, 26th April 2027 – Friday, 30th April 2027

Work experience (WEX) provides a valuable link between education and the workplace, helping pupils develop employability skills, gain insight into different careers, and build confidence in professional environments. It enables young people to explore their interests, understand workplace expectations, and make informed decisions about their future.

Work Experience is an important part of Year 10 at Great Torrington School and is an opportunity we take very seriously. During Personal Development (PD) and tutor time, pupils receive support to create a CV and letter of application when applying for placements. Tutors and Mrs Leonard can review and give feedback if you wish.   

We encourage pupils to arrange their own placements where possible, allowing them to gain experience in areas that match their interests, aspirations and explore industries. Pupils who need support identifying employers should speak to Mrs Leonard, Careers & Employer Engagement Officer, and make use of the Careers Office drop-in sessions.

WHEN IS WORK EXPERIENCE?

Year 10 pupils must take part in a Work Experience during April 2027.

There are acceptations to this that some companies offer one set block for work experience. For instance, the NHS, Queens Theatre and the Army. Please see Mrs Leonard for any changes to your allocated week. 

WORK EXPERIENCE PROCESS

Firstly, all pupils have been emailed, to activate their Grofar account – check your school email address.

Pupils must contact employers to see if they will be able to host them for the specified dates. There is a letter/email template at the bottom of this page.

On Grofar, pupils can log in and view past employers that have supported GTS Work Experience week under 'Businesses' on Grofar menu.  If you look under ‘opportunities’ you will see some companies wish you to apply in a certain way. Please do not click on ‘Add to Applications’ but read the description about how an employer would like you to apply.

Once they have the go ahead from the employer, it's time to fill in Grofar.

The employer then completes their details and uploads their employer liability insurance/risk assessment.

Parents will then receive an email to ask them to confirm they are happy for the process to move on to the next stage, when GTS will confirm the placement.  And that's it, the process is all complete, and the placement is ready to begin on the agreed date.

Before Work Experience week commences, we will have an assembly around health & safety, timekeeping and keeping themselves safe and encouraging them to touch base with the employer ahead of their start date.

During the placement, we try to send a member of staff to visit on placement or by a telephone call to check on pupils. During the week, pupils are expected to enter their daily hours on Grofar and complete a diary.

Then at the end of the placement, the pupil and the employer complete a review of the week.

With all the above completed, pupils will then receive a Work experience certificate, and their diary will go towards evidence for the Kings Trust Employability Skills Award.

We expect all pupils to take part in work experience.

Grofar

The school has invested in a work placement tracking tool called Grofar. This system has lots of fantastic features to help ensure you have the best possible experience on your work placement.  We also use the Careers Activity section, where you can manage your action plans, look up jobs and opportunities. 

Currently, enrolled students, please click this link and enter your school credentials to access the Grofar work experience platform.

By accessing the Grofar web-powered app you will be able to:

• Access the details of your agreed placement
• Log your work experience hours
• Add reflective comments to consolidate your learning of work experience.
• Review your placement

Once work experience is complete, and you have done the above, you'll be able to obtain your work experience certificate.

Have a look at our quick and easy guide for accessing Grofar below.

Please note: This is a web-powered app, so you won't use your phone memory etc. Once you have signed in using your college credentials, you will get access with one click each time.

Hint! If you visit the website and create a shortcut on your Home Screen, it will be easier for you to access your placement details.

Could you offer work experience?

Is your business interested in supporting young people who are looking for work experience? Are you committed to engaging with your community and developing local talent and skills? Could you provide young people with a positive experience of the working world? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes,’ you should consider becoming a work experience host.

If you are an employer, have Employers and Public Liability Insurance, and would consider offering a work placement to one of our pupils, please contact me for further details. 

Louise Leonard  lleonard@gts.devon.sch.uk or call 01805 623 531 (ext 231)