Work related learning

The UK Government's Department for Education and Skills has defined work related learning as

‘planned activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful in work, including learning through the experience of work, learning about work and learning the skills for work’.

Is work related learning a new concept?

No, it has been covered in a school’s curriculum for a long time but there has been no official guidance as to what should or should not be covered or with which students. Schools have developed their own policies and curriculum content for all or certain groups of students.

What has changed?

The development of the 14 – 19 curriculum in the UK has highlighted the benefit of work related learning for all students whatever their academic abilities and there is no reason to suggest that the same will not be true in the new Jersey 14 – 19 curriculum shortly to be published.

It is now statutory in the UK that provision is made for all Key Stage 4 students to:

• learn through work, by providing opportunities for students to learn from direct experiences of work (for example through work experience or part time jobs, enterprise activities in schools and learning through vocational contexts in subjects);
• learn about work by providing opportunities for students to develop knowledge and understanding of work and enterprise (for example, through vocational courses and careers education); and
• learn for work by developing the key skills for enterprise and employability (for example, through problem solving activities, work simulations and mock interviews).

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has published guidance on the statutory requirement and a non-statutory framework on the suggested minimum experience for all Key Stage 4 students. The full guidance can be found here.

What is happening on Jersey?

Work related learning is happening in Jersey. Each school has developed a curriculum to meet the needs of their students and the programme varies from school to school.

A number of activities that support work related learning are detailed below