Year 10 Work Experience

Work Experience

In 2026, we were delighted to reintroduce a traditional one-week work experience placement for all Year 10 pupils. At Holy Cross, we recognise the importance of providing young people with meaningful opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and qualities required for future success.

Work experience forms a vital part of our careers education programme, enabling pupils to gain first-hand insight into the world of work, develop key employability skills and make informed decisions about their future pathways. Through meaningful engagement with employers and real workplace environments, pupils build confidence, broaden their aspirations and deepen their understanding of the connection between education and employment.

The programme was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both pupils and employers. Pupils reported significant growth in essential skills such as communication, independence and resilience, while employers praised our young people for their motivation, professionalism, courtesy and willingness to learn. These experiences not only enrich pupils’ personal development but also reinforce the values and high standards that underpin life at our school.

Through our work experience programme, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil develops the skills, confidence and ambition needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Why is Work Experience Important?

Work experience is a key element of career development, providing pupils with valuable opportunities to explore future careers and gain practical experience beyond the classroom.

Developing Employability Skills

Pupils strengthen essential workplace skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management and professionalism. These highly transferable skills are valued by employers and play an important role in preparing young people for future education, training and employment.

Increasing Career Awareness

Experiencing the workplace enables pupils to gain a realistic understanding of different industries and professions. It helps them explore career interests, discover new opportunities and make informed choices about their future.

Bringing Learning to Life

Work experience demonstrates how knowledge and skills developed in school are applied in real-world contexts, helping pupils appreciate the relevance of their studies and increasing their engagement with learning.

Building Confidence and Independence

Working alongside professionals encourages pupils to take initiative, adapt to new environments and develop greater confidence in their own abilities.

Supporting Future Decision-Making

First-hand experience of the workplace helps pupils make well-informed decisions about their next steps, whether they choose sixth form, college, apprenticeships, university or employment.

Raising Aspirations

By engaging with employers and employees from a wide range of sectors, pupils broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse opportunities available to them in the future.

Examples of Work Experience Placements in June 2026

Ainscough Crane Hire
Bowker BMW
British Gas
Burnley Crown Court
Chorley Council
Curiosity Corner Play
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust
Lyndhurst Precision Engineering
Medivet 24 Hour Chorley
One Vision Studios
Papa Luigis Restaurant
Whittle Dental Practice

Employer feedback from our Year 10 work experience

“Honestly, I was incredibly impressed by Lexie! There is nothing I could identify that she needs to work on other than for her to continue to be the intelligent, independent thinking, hardworking, kind young woman she is!”

“We were so impressed with the way Martha took to the role that we have already offered her a part-time weekend position with us starting in a couple of weeks time.”

“I think Noah is very switched on for someone of his age. He knows what he wants to do and asked relevant questions on how to achieve that.”

“Dylan was happy to get involved with all the different groups. He was enthusiastic, friendly, confident and polite. He easily identified tasks that he could help with and happily worked as part of the team.”

“Eve was great, we were really impressed with her as a young person – she’s very sharp and on it. And lovely with it.”

“Eli was very helpful and responsive in working as part of a team. When asked he promptly carried out a task and followed instructions. He proved a great help to our mechanic during his time here.”