Work Experience
Building Confidence for the Real World
At Hammersmith Academy, we know that some of the most powerful lessons happen outside the classroom.
Work experience gives students their first real taste of the professional world — a moment when learning, independence, and ambition come together.
For many, it’s the first time they see how what they’ve learned in school connects with the real world: stepping into an office, shadowing a professional, collaborating on a project, or simply learning the importance of timekeeping and teamwork.
These experiences spark self-belief and open new possibilities, shaping the aspirations that drive our students toward real world success.
Year 10: Building Strong Foundations
Every Year 10 student takes part in a structured one-week work experience placement, a key milestone in their development.
This placement helps students build confidence, gain independence, and develop essential skills such as:
- Communication and teamwork
- Problem-solving and time management
- Professional conduct and responsibility
- Resilience in new and unfamiliar environments
Our dedicated Careers Team ensures every placement is safe, purposeful, and matched to students’ interests — whether in architecture, law, retail, education, construction, engineering, finance, horticulture, medicine, dentistry, or sport (including QPR).
These experiences help students see what’s possible and begin to imagine the futures they want to build.
Sixth Form: Taking Initiative and Leading Your Own Path
In the Sixth Form, work experience becomes a test of initiative and ambition.
Students are encouraged to take the lead — researching roles, contacting employers, and proactively seeking opportunities that complement their university or apprenticeship aspirations.
Our Careers Team supports each student with advice, contacts, and access to a vast network of organisations. With our guidance, Sixth Formers have found placements in almost every sector imaginable — from medicine and media to architecture, engineering, and business.
This approach fosters independence, determination, and the professional mindset universities and employers value most.
Real Partnerships, Real Impact
We work closely with a wide range of employers — from creative industries and professional services to healthcare, sport, and technology — giving students access to workplaces that reflect London’s incredible diversity.
Students gain authentic, hands-on experience in environments that challenge them to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly — the skills that define future leaders.
A Community That Opens Doors
Our vibrant alumni network also plays an important role in the programme. Many of our former students now return to offer placements, share their experiences, and inspire the next generation.
By connecting with those who have walked the same corridors and sat in the same classrooms, our students gain real insight into the journey from school to career success.
Setting the Foundation for the Future
By the end of the programme, students return to the Academy with more than just experience — they return with confidence, purpose, and a clearer vision for what comes next.
For some, work experience affirms their goals; for others, it reveals new possibilities they never considered.
Whatever the path, every placement marks the start of something bigger: a young person taking their first confident step into the world of work.
