Barry Comprehensive School

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‘Back to School’ adverts are particularly meaningful to Barry Comprehensive School’s new Year 11 pupils, because they spent the last week of the summer term away from the classroom on work experience.

Prior to attending their placements, the year group were prepared for the world of work by their Business Studies teachers who set them an exciting timed challenge: to create an aftershave for a typical teenage boy (apologies to Alan Sugar!)

Pupils, working in random groups of 8, were given 3 hours to design, produce and promote the product, doing market research on the job. Pupils got creative with a range of designs and prices. All teams then had the final challenge of a formal presentation in front of some formidable judges – not an easy task. The judges had a difficult job, but finally hired a group led by Matt Saunders, ironically calling themselves The Rejects. The judges (Mr. David Williams, Mr. Steve Rees, Mrs. Tammy Laugharne and Mrs. Hayley Morgan) were impressed by every aspect of this group’s work, from the design of the product, to the storyboarded promotion, to the very professional presentation.

In all, year 10 spent two intense days working on the skills needed to present themselves well in the workplace. Pupils studied Maslow’ s Hierarchy of Needs, undertook personality tests, SWOT analysis and were well briefed on Health and Safety in the workplace. Staff working with the pupils believe that they really focused on the skills they would need to present themselves well in a new environment.

The preparation certainly helped, producing a very successful week for the vast majority of students, with several following up their placements with part time jobs.

Sam Davis is one such student. Alex Dymond, manager of Pizza Hut at Culver House Cross, described Sam as one of the best students they had ever had. Sam entered into all aspects of the job, from making pizza, preparing salad, serving and even pot wash!

Zachery Cleary, working across the road at Marks and Spencer at Culver House Cross, was described as ‘fab’!

Andrew Emery had an eventful week at St Athan Primary School, where he helped with treasure hunts, prepared with displays and helped with a leavers’ assembly.

Procopios Constantinou also had a good week at St Donats’ Art Centre, culminating in a Friday wedding.

Barry Comprehensive would like to thank the many businesses and organisations who took our students, giving them a real insight into the world of work. Many companies had prepared induction packs for students and taken time out of busy schedules to work with the young people. Work experience week would not be possible without this generous support.

The intensive two-day skills training session

Procopios Constantinou at St Donats’ Art Centre

Sam Davies at Pizza Hut

Zachery Cleary at Marks & Spencer

Andrew Emery at St Athan Primary School