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Students Embrace Invaluable Work Experience Week

Penryn College’s Year 10 students were treated to an insightful taste of working life last month, with local employers providing a huge range of placements as part of the school’s Work Experience Week.

Over 200 pupils took part in the programme – enjoying placements across Cornwall and further afield in floristry, boatbuilding, games design, gardening, catering, education, and much, much more – gaining invaluable experiences along the way.

Indeed, both staff and students welcomed the variety of opportunities with gratitude, including Penryn College Careers Lead, Mrs Snowdon, who expressed her delight in witnessing so many pupils thrive in the working environment.

“We were totally blown away with the support we received from the local community and various other employers for our Work Experience Week,” said Mrs Snowdon.

“Our students learned how to cook, look after and engage with care home residents, code for robots, write articles, work tills and speak with the public. They engaged with younger children, gained hands-on boatbuilding experience, designed window displays, cut lawns, and helped advise on investments, amongst many other tasks too numerous to mention.

“I would like to thank all of the employers that took on our students and provided time to share their skills. We are very lucky to be so well supported,” Mrs Snowdon added.

And the employers that showed their support for the school saw students excel in more ways than one, noting hard work, passion, commitment and empathy as some of the qualities demonstrated throughout the week. Employer feedback included:

“The girls were a delight – helpful, thoughtful and caring with the children.”

“It was a delight to help; your students were a credit to themselves and their school.”

“We very much enjoyed having the students for the week – we hope they enjoyed it.”

“The students were polite, punctual and a credit to the school.”

And, when concluding her thoughts on the importance of Work Experience Week and the various ways in which it can benefit young people, Mrs Snowdon said: “Work Experience Week gives our students a valuable insight into the world of work. It allows them to increase their awareness of their skills and strengths, enhances their motivation, and gives them an appreciation of the skills that they will need in the future – alongside an understanding of how their subjects in school link into adult working life.”

A huge thank you to the following employers for offering our students placements:

W.C. Rowe (Falmouth); Hi-Level Mezzanines; Hi9; Hall for Cornwall; Jumblies Day Nursery; Bazbo; Penmellyn Veterinary Group; J & T Webster Services; Dive Newquay; Lou Jones Design; Little Wonders Nursery; Roseland Observatory; RNAS Culdrose; Koha Architects; Castaways Wine Bar; Stones Bakery; Bluebird Care; Simon Brazier; Mylor Pre-School; The Lab – Dental Design Studio; Koffiji Falmouth; Metalcraft Cornwall; Truro High School; Asda; The Flicka Foundation; The Norway Inn; St Michaels Hotel & Spa; Gendall Design; Potager Garden; Children’s Sailing Trust; Falmouth Library; Maenporth Electrical; Greenstone Cornwall; Penryn Primary Academy; Chacewater Garden Centre; Specsavers Opticians; FX Plus; Falmouth Art Gallery; Watson-Marlow; Classic Cottages; Rosemullion Veterinary Practice; Pets at Home; Elemental UK; Hotel Meudon; Ignition Credit; Cornish Metals (South Crofty); Cornwall College; Falmouth Boat Hire; Nicholls & Co; Truro Nursery School; St Francis CofE Primary School; The Greenhouse Tearoom; Falmouth University; Hart Miller Design; Helston Fabrications; Cats Protection; Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre; Carlyon & Son; Marlborough School; Mylor Yacht Harbour; Kessells Kitchen; Falmouth Marine School; Cirque Du Ciel; Maidenhead Aquatics; Penpol School; Sennen School; Lewis Haughton Wills; Fit ‘N Fun Kids; Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding; Cash Generator; Truro and Penwith College; Trelowan Pre-School; University of Exeter; CK Kitchens; Eastwood Garage; City Road Veterinary Centre; Just Delights Cornwall; MBA Consulting; Bread & Butter; Bailey’s Country Store; A&P Falmouth; Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange; Devoran Pre-School; Penventon Park Hotel; Good Vibes Café; Dean Stevens Wealth Management; Mylor Bridge Community Primary School; Sally Orchard Makeup and Beauty; Greenbank Hotel; Atlantis Jewels; Oak House Dental Practice; Falmouth Pleasure Cruises; Number 8 Hairdressing; The Waterside Restaurant; Source FM; Francis Clark; Poltair School; TouchByte; iNkfish Hair & Beauty Salon; Hawkins Motors; Ocean BMW/Mini; Royal Cornwall Yacht Club; National Trust (Trelissick Gardens); Certus Biomedical; Falmouth Harbour Commissioners; The Star & Garter; S & P Sandwiches; Harbour View, Falmouth; Paul Stephens Gardening Services; MAP Estate Agents; The Crypt Pre-School (Falmouth Community Pre-School Playgroup); J.S. Miller Independent Financial Planning; L Phipps Professional Decorating; Dandy Daycare; Sithney Community Primary School; Blue Flame (Cornwall); Truro Business Hub; R Booth; Cornwall Care, Trevern House; Cornwall Farm Machinery; Falmouth Computer Lab; Beside The Wave Gallery; Ssone; Mylor Yacht Harbour; The Hugs Foundation; Perran-ar-worthal Fruit & Veg Stall; Enys Gardens; Bull & Wolf Film Co.; Cornish Diving Centre; Cherilyn Mackrory MP; The Dental Hygiene Suite; Carrs Jaguar Land Rover; Stithians Community Primary School; Engineered Arts; Freeman’s Wharf Boatyard (Pendennis Shipyard); The Hub PR & Marketing; The Flower Shed; Heather & Lay Property Letting; Reflections; The Boathouse; Treliever Equestrian Centre; Inspired Cycle Engineering; The Diocese of Truro; Constantine Primary School; Truro Business Hub; Simon Annear Plumbing & Heating; Goldmartin Garage; Slice of Cornwall; Redruth Town Council; Mike Couldry Plumbing and Heating; Penryn Gymnastics; Budock Vean Hotel; SKB Sails; Handelsbanken.