Work Experience (WEX)  

Blackheath High’s work experience programme continues to flourish, with more and more students recognising not only the importance of workplace experience, but the invaluable interpersonal skills a placement can offer. Although work experience can be challenging to find, particularly in competitive fields such as Law and Medicine, this has not deterred our students who always impress us with their independence and determination, supported by our invaluable Futures team. Here are just some of the highlights: 

• Daniela (Year 12) took part in a work experience programme with PwC 

• Kiki and Lydia (Year 11) won places on a 4-week online course with Telegraph Media online in March. The programme, part of the Telegraph’s Media Literacy Programme and open to 16-18-year-olds across the UK, aims to ‘break down the barriers to careers in journalism and provide school pupils with the tools and skills to think critically about the media landscape’. Lydia and Kiki spent an hour in school at the end of every Tuesday for a month attending the online training before receiving a Telegraph Media Literacy Journalism Certificate 

• Sofia (Year 11) sourced and completed online medical surgery work experience with Premed Projects. Sofia says: “The surgery work experience day provided me with a captivating insight into life as a surgeon for prospective medical students. Dr Zaneb Alzaidawi led the talk and outlined her educational journey into surgery and which fields she explored. The talk was extremely informative; we learnt about history taking, which tests to conduct, imaging, the theatre team and the whole journey of an operation. It was consistently engaging - we conducted a case study together on history taking and Dr Alzaidawi answered any questions that we had about medicine.” 

• Emma and Beth (Year 11) spent an incredible day with the Resident Director of smash West End hit ‘Hadestown’, enjoying the privilege of an extensive backstage tour and watching an understudy performance of the show. It was a wonderful experience (Head of Futures, Ms Day, accompanied the students and also had a thoroughly great time!). Beth and Emma will be continuing their theatre-focused work experience with Greenwich Theatre in June/July of this year. 

Future pathways 

Blackheath High students continue to impress with the diversity of their chosen career paths. Over the past term, we have been delighted to welcome back several recent Sixth Form graduates - Jasmin Chance, Amy Dodson and Kenya Obeng - to speak to students and parents about their current educational journeys. 

Jasmin gave an insightful Wollstonecraft talk on her course in Diagnostic Radiography at Suffolk University, exploring the demands of the course, supported by anecdotes of her experiences and advice to students applying through UCAS. Amy Dodson travelled back from Cambridge University to share advice with Year 9 students and parents about her first year as a Biology student. Kenya Obeng spoke to sixth form students, Year 9 students and their parents about the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship. Kenya is currently working for Warner Bros. as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion apprentice for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and gave fascinating insights into her role: the benefits/opportunities, managing the challenges of different time zones and attending premieres, rubbing shoulders with A-list actors and directors!  

Finally, Alexandra Davies gave a stimulating Wollstonecraft Talk and spoke as a panellist at the Year 9 Options Evening on exploring the UCAS process; studying for a Psychology degree at Manchester University; and life as a Masters student (Alex is studying for an MA in Psychotherapy).

Many thanks to all the students involved and for giving up their time to share their great experiences.

Read more about our Futures programme.