The Work Ready programme
"The school’s impressive electives programme considerably enriches pupils’ personal development and transforms their future aspirations." Ofsted 2026
We are proud to share that Sir Thomas Wharton Academy has been recognised as  Officially Amazing  by Amazing Apprenticeships! 🌟
This national recognition celebrates our commitment to outstanding careers education and promoting apprenticeships and technical pathways for our students.
🔗 Read our full features here:
Work ready programme at https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/officially-amazing/best-practice/the-work-ready-programme-sir-thomas-wharton-academy/
Purpose
At Sir Thomas Wharton, we don't just provide a work placement; we offer a progressive programme packed with different topics to make sure students are prepared for the world of modern work by understanding the 4 best ways to contact employers and how to conduct themselves through CV writing as well as practical experience of different types of modern day interviews used in today's workplaces as well as work shadowing and work based electives.
Year 10 work experience is a summative placement encompassing all they have learnt over the past 4 years. Providing practical insights into the world of work, helping our students understand what working life is like and offering them hands-on experience in a real work setting that can help them develop essential skills and make informed decisions about their future career paths.
Why?​
To provide you with the opportunity to develop work-based skills, network with employers & develop a sense of what is needed for their desired career. Work experience will also provide you with the opportunity to further develop a sense of independence and allow you to reflect on your future aspirations and goals.
How To Get Better Work Experience Opportunities...​
How?​
Through the use of structured careers provision in tutor and drop-down events planned and organised by our careers lead. You will develop the confidence to contact employers, provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your skills and to pursue aspirational career pathways. ​ Your progress will be tracked in your career journal.
Placement Success
In the academic year 2024–2025, the school relaunched the work experience programme, which witnessed no end of success. We are proud to say that 95% of students successfully secured a placement. In the academic year 25-26 this increased to 100% of students being out on a placement. You can support your child in gaining a placement by logging into the Unifrog app.
Sometimes it isn't what you know but who you know! 71% of Employers who employ someone between 16 and 24 in 2025 said they already had a previous connection. We feel it is important that students understand work experience placements are not just a one-week experience of the workplace, for a lot of our students they help them develop the soft skills employers are looking for. Building an employer network is crucial for success and in many student cases these experiences have led to a part-time job and even better allowed a student to secure an apprenticeship with that same company.
Key Information
There is a parent information evening for Year 10 and year 12 held annually via Teams - The date for this will be communicated va the MCAS app. Please look out for updates on the website and through social media.
Volunteering
The workplace can be very competitive and getting a job is not as easy as it used to be so why not considered volunteering to help make you stand out against other applicants. Volunteering says a lot to an employer not only does it show you are a caring person by giving up your time to help other, but it speaks volumes about your character and work ethic.
Anyone can volunteer. It can be very rewarding and is a great way to:
- Meet new people
- Gain new or use existing skills
- Get experience
- Make a big difference to your community
There are lots of easy ways to give your time to help others – from having a cup of tea with an elderly neighbour, to helping out in your local area or making a regular commitment to volunteer with a charity or community group.
Prospects
Internships, work placements, work shadowing, volunteering and part-time work are all great ways to build skills and try out a certain job or career before investing in it. Discover more work experience ideas by clicking the link below.
Work experience and internships | Prospects.ac.uk
Doncaster Council
Volunteering and work experience (or an internship) is a valuable tool, helping you make the right career choices and get the job you want. Some schools in Doncaster offer you the chance to take part in a work experience placement in Year 10 or 11, lasting usually for 3 weeks. However, you don't need to be in school to take part in a placement, many companies will be able and willing to offer you a placement.
Scouts
Volunteering’s not just about giving back – it goes both ways. It improves your wellbeing, gives you skills for the future, and helps you make new friends (and memories).
Do it
Do-it.org is a database of UK volunteering opportunities. You can search more than a million volunteering opportunities by interest, activity or location and then apply online.
The UK's biggest volunteering database - Doit Life!
Barclays Skills
Tips and guidance on improving your careers prospects with work experience.
Virtual Work Experience tool | Barclays LifeSkills
National Careers Service
Get work experience at any age to learn about a job role, company or sector.
How to get work experience | National Careers Service
Barnardos
Whether you’re assisting customers in one of our shops, part of a team running a fundraising event, helping behind the scenes in an office, or spending time with families in our services, by volunteering you can help make a difference to children and young people’s lives.
Volunteer with us | Barnardo's