Case Studies

Please take a look at the testimonials below from one of our member schools; from businesses who have worked with us on various projects and events; as well as students' perspective on work experience. We hope these testimonials help instill the positive attributes of establishing a connection and rapport between students and local buinesses.

Burnham Grammar School
Judy Trinder, Work Experience Coordinator of Burnham Grammar:

"At a time when employers are stretched and there are redundancies, with the EBeBP's help we have still been able to provide Burnham Grammar students with good work experience placements.

"This is largely due to the strong rapport the EBeBP has with local employers. It is a steep learning curve for many students but they come back to school far more mature, self-confident and motivated.

"On behalf of Burnham Grammar we thank all the employers at the EBeBP for sparing the time and energy to look after our students, and the students come back feeling valued as individuals and motivated to do well in their GCSEs.

"The feedback from employers has been great, with lots of compliments and part-time job offers. With occupations as varied as film to science, languages, medical, as well as the retail, office, school and ICT options.

Thank you to everyone at the EBeBP for a successful week."

St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School
Louis Constantino, Pre GCSE work experience student:

"My work experience was not what I'd expected, my help sheet read, "office and clerical work" and I didn't think I would enjoy my time here. However, turning up on the first day was a big eye opener. I expected to be putting letters into envelopes and doing hours and hours of boring computer work. But it wasn't; in general, the computer work was fun! I designed a "diamond game", logos, PowerPoint's and more. There wasn't too much work involving the typing up of notes and the typing I did was not particularly boring either.

"Overall I left with an insight into office work, something that I had previously discarded as an option later in life, but which now I would consider. I can now happily say I enjoyed my time at the EBeBP, which was only made better by the people."

Burnham Grammar
Sophie Le Marchand, Pre GCSE work experience student:

"When I first found out that my work placement would be clerical work I have to say that I was not really looking forward to it. However, I convinced myself that any work is experience and that it would benefit me to see what working in an office was really like (I had heard my mum moan about it long enough!)

"Everyone was absolutely lovely and I felt like part of the team. It was interesting to see the different parts of the company and the jobs they do, which in turn make up the company that places on average 5,000 students a year. Without them this whole experience would not be possible."

Panasonic
David English, Health & Safety Advisor:

"Having worked alongside EBeBP for the last couple of years I would highly recommend the Organisation and the important role they fulfill . It has been a pleasure and have greatly enjoyed meeting the children in many different schools in Berkshire and spreading the "Health and Safety message" to the guardians of our future!"

House of Colour
Helen Wilson, Colour & Personal Style Consultant:

"It was my pleasure to deliver a workshop on Creating your First Impressions for EBeBP. The students were fun and interactive and enjoyed the session which covered understanding why personal impact matters. The workshop increased their perception & understanding of others, they had greater confidence, self-esteem and morale and improved their communications skills."

British Airways
Sarah Webb, Customer Service Delivery Executive:

"Being part of the British Airways Community Investment team I am always happy to support East Berks EBP with their work within local schools. My colleague, Khalida Barker, and I have run some Customer Service session within a local boys school which gave us the wonderful opportunity to put ourselves slightly outside our comfort zones and stretch yourselves. With the fabulous support of the team it proved to be a fabulous morning meeting some very interesting students. It was great challenge but we felt we reached the students by making the customer service sessions fun and relate to them.

In October 2010, 3M were involved in the Visit Our Schools week. Employees of companies such as 3M stepped back into the classroom to learn about what education is like today, and the ways in which business volunteers can engender links within their local community. Have a look at the article featured in Surrey and Berkshire Media's Get Bracknell.

Interserve
Sue Benford, Customer Liaison Manager:

"Interserve are based locally in Slough and employ all different trades people; including carpenters, plumbers, plasterers, and gas engineers; each with the emphasis on multi skilled personnel.

"Interserve has been working closely with the EBeBP to provide work placements for local students. This year to date (2009), we have been able to offer 65 placements, mainly trades but also admin and surveying. We have also carried out health and safety workshops within the local schools and attended their careers days.

"This has given us the opportunity to pursue another need within our own workforce: as our customer base is very diverse we would like our workforce to reflect this diversity.Our clients, People First and Slough Borough Council are keen for us to increase the number of female trades in our team. The EBeBP is aware of this agenda and allow us every opportunity to speak to the students with intentions to break the gendered pink and blue routes that students are often directed to."