Planning Work Experience

Overview

Duration: 240 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Age Group: Post 16-25 SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Subject Area: Employability and Life Skills
Curriculum Reference:

• National Curriculum for England (Personal Development and Employability Skills)
• Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) framework
• SEND Code of Practice (2015) principles for personalised learning and differentiation

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT understand the purpose and benefits of work experience in developing employability skills.
• WALT identify and match personal skills and interests with potential work placements.
• WALT demonstrate knowledge of workplace expectations including health and safety, communication, and punctuality.
• WALT develop a personalised work experience plan with realistic goals.
• WALT reflect on work experience outcomes and plan next steps for employability.

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Success Criteria

• Can explain the benefits of work experience to future employment.
• Can identify at least three skills or interests aligned with a type of work placement.
• Demonstrates understanding of key workplace behaviours (punctuality, communication, appearance, safety).
• Produces a simple, personalised work experience plan including goals and contact information.
• Produces a short reflection identifying what was learned and how to improve employability.

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National Curriculum Links

• Careers Education:
  • Develop skills to make informed choices about careers and employment.
  • Understand and demonstrate positive work behaviours.
• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE):
  • Communication and teamwork skills.
  • Preparing for working life and understanding rights and responsibilities.
• SEND Code of Practice:
  • Personalised approaches to learning, focusing on functional life skills and employability.

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Materials Required

• Large whiteboard or flipchart
• Visual aids: pictures of workplaces, tools, uniform examples
• Work experience planning templates (dyslexia-friendly, large print, clear fonts)
• Role-play scenario cards
• Video clips demonstrating workplace scenarios (subtitled)
• Reflection journals or simple recording sheets
• Access to assistive technology (read aloud software, speech-to-text)

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Lesson Breakdown

Part 1: Introduction & Understanding Work Experience (50 minutes)

WALT: Understand the purpose and benefits of work experience.

• Activity 1:
  Begin with an interactive discussion: “What is work experience and why do people do it?”
  Write contributions on the board. Use concrete examples linked to student interests.
• Activity 2:
  Show short subtitled video testimonials from young people with SEND discussing their work experience journey.
• Activity 3:
  Create a ‘Benefits of Work Experience’ mind map as a class. Include themes like: learning new skills, gaining confidence, making friends, understanding work routines.
• Differentiation:
  Use visuals and tactile manipulatives; support vocabulary with symbol cards.
• Assessment:
  Use thumbs up/down and simple verbal recall questions to check understanding.

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Part 2: Identifying Skills and Matching Placements (40 minutes)

WALT: Identify personal skills and match with work environments.

• Activity 1:
  Students complete a personal skills checklist with support. Use dyslexia-friendly format with visuals (e.g., pictures representing ‘good team worker’, ‘punctual’, ‘creative’).
• Activity 2:
  Present various workplace options via pictures and role-play cards (e.g., retail, horticulture, office work).
• Activity 3:
  In pairs, students discuss which jobs match their skills and interests. Teacher facilitates.
• Differentiation:
  Pair stronger and developing learners; provide sentence starters.
• Extension:
  Advanced learners research additional local placement opportunities and present.

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Part 3: Understanding Workplace Expectations (50 minutes)

WALT: Demonstrate knowledge of workplace behaviour and safety.

• Activity 1:
  Role-play different workplace scenarios focusing on punctuality, communication, dress code, and health & safety. Use simple scripts adapted for SEND learners.
• Activity 2:
  Group brainstorm “What would I do if…?” situations (e.g., problem with supervisor, unsure of task).
• Activity 3:
  Create a visual poster on workplace rules to keep and refer to throughout the experience.
• Differentiation:
  Short, clear instructions; multisensory role-play; peer modelling.
• Assessment:
  Observation of role-play participation and verbal Q&A.

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Part 4: Creating a Personal Work Experience Plan (50 minutes)

WALT: Develop a personalised plan with clear goals.

• Activity 1:
  Introduce a simple work experience planning template, including contact info, placement preferences, goals for development, and key dates.
• Activity 2:
  Guided individual work with scaffolding from teacher and assistants.
• Activity 3:
  Peer sharing and feedback; encourage positive praise and adjustments as needed.
• Differentiation:
  Use digital forms with voice typing or scribing support; visual goal-setting charts.
• Extension:
  Advanced learners develop a CV or cover letter to accompany their plan.

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Part 5: Reflection and Next Steps (60 minutes)

WALT: Reflect on learning and plan future employability actions.

• Activity 1:
  Students write or verbally record reflections on: what they hope to gain, concerns, support needed. Dyslexia-friendly sentence starters provided.
• Activity 2:
  Group discussion: sharing reflections and learning how to act on feedback.
• Activity 3:
  Create an ‘Action Plan’ board with steps for preparation before, during, and after work experience. Include communication with employers and follow-up.
• Differentiation:
  Option to use drawings or voice recordings for reflections.
• Assessment:
  Review reflections and participation in discussion.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Use of multi-sensory teaching—visual, auditory, kinesthetic approaches.
• Break tasks into manageable steps with frequent check-ins.
• Provide symbol-supported language, clear printable materials with dyslexia-friendly fonts (Arial, Comic Sans, 14-16pt).
• Allow additional processing time and assistive technology use.
• Pair or group work to encourage peer support.
• Scaffolded role-plays and sentence starters to support verbal communication.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research local job sectors and create a simple presentation.
• Draft a CV and cover letter with tutor input.
• Conduct mock interviews with peers or staff.
• Plan a mock travel route to a placement including public transport options.
• Explore enterprise opportunities and how to start a small business.

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Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Options

• Use simple, jargon-free language in all handouts.
• Present information in bullet points with plenty of spacing.
• Include pictures or symbols alongside text for concepts and instructions.
• Use coloured paper backgrounds (pastel shades to reduce glare).
• Offer texts in audio format or via read-aloud software.
• Ensure consistency in vocabulary, structure, and instructions.

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Assessment & Recording Progress

• Continuous formative assessment through observation of participation and completion of activities.
• Collection of personal work experience plans and reflection sheets as evidence.
• Verbal feedback and self-assessment on success criteria.
• Adapt targets based on individual student progress and aspirations.

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Final Notes

This lesson plan is designed to be highly engaging, personalised, and inclusive, ensuring every learner gains confidence and practical understanding to approach work experience positively. It empowers students with SEND to build crucial life skills, boosting their readiness for employment and independence, fully aligned with the expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for England and SEND Code of Practice.