MORE than 280 year 10 students from Weydon School took part in a work experience week in July.

Replicating ‘real life’, the students were responsible for organising their own placements and the range of organisations they found to work in was impressive and extremely varied.

Students gained experience in a wide range of organisations such as local schools, start-up tech companies, retail outlets, hotels, and sporting organisations.

Further afield they travelled to London and beyond with one lucky student working in a hotel near the River Spey, in Scotland.

In London, students worked in the Home Office, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, McCann London and Lloyds of London to name but a few.

Students had to navigate public transport without adult support and also became familiar with the working patterns of the organisations they were involved with.

Weydon staff had the pleasure of visiting many of the students, in their workplaces during the course of the week, and were very pleased to find that the students were adding value to the employers’ businesses.

For example, two lucky students had a very rewarding week working for the Farnham-based international company, Atomus.

This dynamic organisation is behind ‘aCoach’, the market leading sales coaching and development system.

Office manager Emma Lee, who co-ordinated the placements at Atomus, had organised a varied and interesting week of activities for Sam and James. They were thrown in at the deep end but rose to the challenge and were soon giving presentations and helping with bug busting.

They found the whole experience of coding extremely interesting and were fascinated to discover what was required behind the journey of launching a product and getting it to the marketplace.

Not only did they find the work experience to be challenging and fascinating, they felt that it had really opened their eyes to this industry and the world of work in general.

All the members of staff at Atomus were equally positive about the experience and felt that the students had brought a fresh pair of eyes and a new dynamic to the organisation.

It is an experience that they are eager to repeat with other Weydon students.

Another student, Casey, had a challenging and varied week working for the Hogs Back Hotel. In 24 hours she had to deal with the preparations for a wedding, a funeral, an 80th birthday party as well as hosting a viewing of the World Cup semi-final.

Front of office operations manager, Mark James had devised a rich and varied schedule of activities for Casey. She experienced life in the kitchens, in housekeeping, in finance, on reception and in the spa and gym.

This experience has reinforced her desire to pursue a career in hospitality and has given her an understanding of what qualifications she needs to achieve that goal.

Mark was so impressed with Casey that he offered her the opportunity to apply for part-time work once she turns 16.

In another company, Protean Electric Limited, another student, William, used his own IT and software skills to create an app for the organisation so that the information from the electric motors can interface with an android tablet.

Annie Hains from Protean was extremely impressed with how Weydon students were able to add value to their organisation and are keen to offer placements to Weydon students, with similar skills, in the future.

Alison Molan, careers co-ordinator at Weydon, said: “Weydon is extremely grateful to all the organisations that supported our students during work experience week as we feel that it gives our students a distinct advantage in the future workplace.”

• A group of 15 year nine Weydon students also had the chance to climb aboard the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, during a visit to BAE Systems at Portsmouth Naval Base during the school’s activities week (pictured).

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the biggest ever warship built for the Royal Navy and the most advanced, will sit at the heart of a modernised Royal Navy - projecting power and influence at sea, in the air, over land and in cyberspace.

The students also had the opportunity to operate a welding simulator, visit the 3D ship visualisation suite and see at first hand the brave servicemen and servicewomen who will provide all these services.