Work Experience

Work Experience 2026

Thank you to all the families and guests that joined us for our 2026 Work Experience Presentation.

2026 WEX Information Leaflet printable

2026 WEX Information Evening Presentation

How to book your placement using Unifrog

List of Employers 2025 placements

Balfour Beatty and me

 

Dallaglio Nov 2025 (1).mp4

 

Work Experience 2026

A fantastic Work Experience Week!

We are delighted to celebrate another highly successful Year 10 Work Experience Week, with students representing Chailey School exceptionally well across a wide range of placements in the local community.

Throughout the week, students gained valuable experience in industries including education, construction, healthcare, visitor attractions, business and community organisations. They embraced new challenges with enthusiasm, professionalism and a genuine willingness to learn, developing important employability skills and gaining insight into a variety of career pathways.

Feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive. Many praised our students' maturity, excellent behaviour, confidence and positive attitudes, describing them as a credit to both themselves and the school. One employer described a Chailey student as "the most amazing student", while another member of the public took the time to contact the school after a particularly positive interaction with a student, commenting on his politeness and describing him as a fantastic ambassador for Chailey School.

Several students who completed placements in local primary schools received excellent feedback for supporting staff and younger pupils during a busy Sports Day event. Their initiative, teamwork and ability to build positive relationships were particularly highlighted.

Work experience provides an invaluable opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones, develop confidence and resilience, and begin to make informed decisions about their future careers. It was wonderful to see so many students making the most of the experience and leaving such a positive impression on their employers.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the businesses and organisations that supported our students this year. Their commitment to providing meaningful workplace experiences plays a vital role in preparing our young people for life beyond school.

We are incredibly proud of every student who took part and the way they demonstrated the Chailey Values throughout the week.

Looking ahead: Work Experience Week for our current Year 9 students will take place from 28 June to 2 July 2027. Parents and students will receive information about our launch event in November, although we encourage students to begin exploring potential placements and career interests well in advance.

Well done, Year 10 – you have done yourselves and Chailey School proud! Certificates have been uploaded to Unifrog and reward points given!

Ms Wickens

Careers & Work-Related Learning Coordinator

 

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Employers that supported us this year:

2026 Work Experience Employers
Alexis Dove Jewellery
Alpha23 Ltd
AMD Innovation
Anvils Blacksmiths
Archipelago Studio
Ashley Taylor Farrier 
Bake Out
Balfour Beatty
Barcombe Playgroup
Barcombe Primary School 
Bateman Collins
Bay & Bellflower Florist
Belle & Wilde
Bodle Brothers
Boulder Brighton
Bridee Whyte Funeral Services
Brighton Youth Club
British Airways 
Browns Garage
Buxted Primary School 
CGC Global
Chailey Heritage Foundation
Chailey Parish Council
Chailey St Peter's Primary School
Charity work with Mum 
Chartwells - Wivelsfield Primary School (mum)
Cole's Menswear & Wedding Suit Hire Specialists
Cook - Lewes
Cottage Pre-School
CR Electrical
Cuckfield Golf Centre
Culver Farm
Culver Project
Ditchling C of E Primary School
Doves Playbarn/Heaven Farm
Duncan Henderson
Emma Bush - Childminder
Ernest Doe & Sons
Everest Motorcycles
Fletching Primary School
Flomar Garage
Football Fun Factory
Gradwell Park 
Gro Farm - attending 3 Taster Days across week
Hamsey Primary School
Happy Dayz Dogs
Harlands Primary School
Hart Country Stores
Henfield Gardening Services
Hill Group
Honeybees Nursery
Horder Healthcare 
Hylab Dispensers
Ibmerhorne School
ID Software Support
Intersport Lewes
James Douglas Plastering
JD Wallis Farming
Johnson Insultation Supplies Ltd
Judge Leslie Chinweze - Central London Asylum & Immigration Tribunal
Kirsty Mepham Dressage
Land Science
Let Us Pretend
Lewes Library
Limepalm Drama Clubs
Marsh Ltd
Maynard's Green Community Primary School
Michael Hall School
Mid Sussex Golf Club
Millimetre
Mott MacDonald
Muddy Paw Prints Dog Grooming
Newick Primary School
Nightingales Residential Care Home
Noah's Property Services
NuSoul Studios
Nutley Primary School
Open Bakery
Osbornes Law LLC
Owen's Garage
Paladone Products
Park Cameras
Perry Ellis
Peter Eastwood Plants
Phonics Play Ltd
Plumpton College - Animal Management
Plumpton College - Catering Team
Plumpton College - Ground Team
Priory Law Group
Quintessence Fragrances
Radial Landscapes
RSS Academy
Samantha Elizabeth Hairdressers
Seasons Wholefood
South East Land Based Training
South Lodge Hotel
Sparks TSL 
Sportscool
St Augustines Primary School
St Giles CofE Primary School
St Mary's Church Newick
St Peter's Church
Stereo Creative
Stirling & Johnson
Sussex Butterfly Garden
Sussex Sign Centre
The Birch Hotel
The Depot Cinema
The Fountain Inn
The Keep
The Oaks Poultry Farm
The Observatory Science Centre
The Old Red Lion Playhouse
The Printing Charity
The Skate Farm
The Unity Centre
Thomas Keating Ltd
Thompson Plumbing & Heating
Time Health
Tiny Tekkers
Toddlers Inn Pre School 
Tremaines Riding Stables
Trenchline Utilities
Venturis Medical 
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Waitrose - Bracknell
Waitrose Lewes
Wivelsfield Primary School
Woodlands School
WoWo Campsite


Unifrog Work experience journal digital workbookESCC Work Experience Guide for Employers

ESCC Work Experience Guide for Parents, Carers, Guardians