Guidance on Part Time Work

Part Time Work Arrangements - Sixth Form 

Some of our students will carry out some form of work placement during their time in the Sixth Form. This may include regular part-time employment, ad hoc paid work, holiday jobs, volunteering commitments and work experience placements. Nationally, research suggests that around 20% of students aged 16-18 take on part time work at some point in their studies. 

We recognise the potential benefits to students of experience of the workplace whilst also studying. These benefits include familiarity with the workplace, interaction with employers, increased optimism around job prospects and development of skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience and professionalism. We also acknowledge the important financial benefits to students of additional earnings in order to support themselves as they increase their independence. 

Our experience suggests that, when it is not carefully managed, part time work can, however, be to the detriment of a student’s academic progress in the Sixth Form. As such, we set out guidance to help students achieve a productive balance. 

Students must adhere to the following:

• Part time work, volunteering or placements should only be conducted outside core school hours (8.25am - 3.05pm), even if lessons are not timetabled.
   
• Where a student receives a C3 after-school, they must make themselves available to sit this when it is issued (3.05pm - 4pm).
   
• Where a student is offered additional support after school, such as small group teaching or learning mentor support, they should make themselves available (3.05pm - 4pm), with advanced warning to find the best day and approach. 
   
• Part time work, volunteering or placements should not exceed a total of 16 hours per week during term time. We would strongly encourage students to work no more than 8 hours per week during term time.

Where a student’s organisation, punctuality, attendance or attitude to learning begin to dip, we would ask that they relinquish part time work in order to prioritise resetting their progress in the Sixth Form.

Where a student feels under financial pressure to work in order to support their studies, we may be able to help find sources of funding to ease pressure. Where a student feels under pressure from an employer to work more hours than this policy or that they feel comfortable undertaking, we may be able to liaise with the employer to find a mutually agreeable solution.

We ask that students inform us of any regular part-time employment, ad hoc paid work, volunteering commitments and work experience placements they undertake, recognising that these may change during the course of their studies. They should update their form tutors in the first instance. This information will help us to better understand their independent study arrangements and to celebrate their successes in developing important future skills.

If you have any questions or concerns about part time work, please do not hesitate to speak to the Sixth Form team (Charlotte Richer, Head of Sixth Form: cricher@cherwellschool.org)