It is the policy of the Liverpool Education, Library and Sports Service that “…all students in Years 10 and 11 have the opportunity to have up to 10 days of work experience with a local organisation…”

This will help to provide them with the opportunity to see the world of work at first hand.  It is not intended that the work undertaken need be directly with the students’ career plan, although this may be so.  Rather, we view this opportunity – to make comparisons with school life, to acquire and develop the Key Skills, to sample as wide a range of tasks as possible under the supervision of the experienced workers and to make a small contribution to the work of a team.

In accordance with the Education (Work Experience) Act 1996, students participating in the programme receive no payment.  Also, students will be expected to work the normal working hours of the organisation.

Naturally, such a programme of work experience relies heavily upon the good will of many local employers, managers and work people who are now having many such calls made upon their generosity.  It is important, therefore, that our organisation is as professional and efficient as possible.  We are particularly concerned that students who commit themselves to the programme appreciate the involvement of the school and other organisations in making arrangements on their behalf.

Here are some questions that your son could consider when thinking about his work experiece placement:

• Does my placement have to be in an occupation that I will go into?
• What will I have to do?
• What time will I have to get to the job?
• What time will I get home?
• What will I wear each day?
• How will I get there?
• What will I do at dinner time?
• Will I be able to cope in the job?
• Just say I don’t like it? Will I get paid for going?
• Will I get a Saturday job out of it?
• Will they give me a good reference?
• Will somebody from school visit me?
• What will it be like working with older people?
• Will I have to keep a diary for the future?

If you need any more advice or have specific questions, please email Mrs Swale at: SwaleL@westderbyschool.com
Or use our FEEDBACK FORM

West Derby has been selected to take part in a 2 year national pilot to introduce the ‘Making Good Progress’ initiative.
Our October 2007 Report on this:
Read more on the Government's DfES website

Homework reinforces the work done in class and forms a really important part of the pupils’ learning. Homework can vary in content from subject to subject. It can be a written task, reading, research, extension or revision work. As parents and carers, you can support the children’s learning by:

• Regularly checking planners to ensure that homework is being written down. At the end of every lesson pupils should indicate whether or not homework has been set and note down the details. Please sign the bottom of the page of the Planner each Friday.
  
  
• Checking that completed homework appears to be of a good standard. Encourage children to do homework at certain times each evening so that it becomes routine. Help children to organise themselves by not “putting off” to another occasion.
  

Please contact school if you have any concerns regarding homework issues.

NB:

• Teachers in some subjects may set longer pieces of homework, which may last several weeks
• Homework facilities are available for children after school if you so wish
• If children fail to complete homework, parents will be informed.
  

At West Derby, we have been developing strategies to promote ‘Assessment for Learning’ (AfL for short). AfL means involving children more in assessing their work and showing them exactly how to improve in their work. AfL helps pupils to become more confident and independent in their learning.

Pupils may at times mark their own work, for example, which helps them understand better the mistakes they have made. You will also see that certain key pieces of work done by the children during the year are marked by the teacher in great detail. Whilst marks, grades and levels are of course very important, it is often the comments and advice given by the teacher both written and verbal which can really help the children to improve their work.

Pupils need to have the correct equipment and books for each subject. We would really appreciate your support in ensuring that children come to school properly equipped, as follows:

• Pupils should bring a bag to school to carry books and equipment
• Pupils must have, as a minimum, a pen and a pencil, but should also have other stationery items ie rubber, ruler, sharpener
• Pupils must bring specialist materials to certain subjects eg full PE kit, mathematics equipment
  
  

During the year, you will receive a single sheet report informing you of your son’s progress as follows:
Year 7 - January
Year 8 - December
Year 9 - July
Year 10 - July
Year 11- February

Additionally, you will receive a full report booklet as follows:
Year 7 - May
Year 8 - April
Year 9 - January
Year 10 - February
Year 11 - June

You will be invited to attend a Parents’ Evening to discuss your son’s progress with his subject teachers. We would like you to bring your son to this meeting so that he can hear the comments made and advice given. If you have any concerns about your son’s progress at any time, please do not wait for Parents’ Evening. You can discuss any issues at any time – just ring school to make an appointment via the Head of Year, so that problems can be resolved immediately.

Parents’ Evening will be held as follows:

Year 7 - May
Year 8 - April
Year 9- January
Year 10 - February
Year 11 - February