Work Experience and Volunteering
Many students in our schools take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities with both school and also independently to pursue their own interests. Volunteering and work experience can really add to a young person’s insight into the world of work and also offers a valuable addition to their CV and college, university and job applications.
Volunteering within school ranges from helping out with sports to the library and the range of community opportunities available through the DoE scheme. Schools also have links with a range of external partners involved in encouraging young people to join in, some of these are included in the links below.
- St Johns Ambulance – Local units are at Rotherham on Downs Row, or Edlington on Edlington Lane and our local contact is Chris Little, Chris.Little@sja.org.uk.
- Police – Recruitment for the police cadets is in April of each year for students in Year 10 and above, our local contact is Diane Collins, Diane.Collins@southyorks.pnn.police.uk.
- Army – Based at the TA centre on Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham and offer opportunities to young people aged 12 and over.
South Yorkshire Police Cadets 2021-2022
South Yorkshire Police are now recruiting Volunteer Cadets for the period 2021-2022. The recruitment period closes on 30 June 2021 and is aimed at current Y11 leavers
This is a great opportunity for any of you that want to work in some aspect of public services. General information regarding the Police Cadet role can be found on the South Yorkshire Police webpage: www.southyorkshire.police.
If you have any queries then please email : cadets@southyorks.pnn.
Game Academy Bootcamp – 16th – 20th August 2021
Game Academy Bootcamp: How to Get Your Dream Job by Playing Games
If you’re a gamer, did you know that video gaming skills are in great demand by employers?
There is a Game Academy bootcamp – in collaboration with Speakers for Schools – this summer, which is open for students (14+) attending school in Rotherham and neighbouring towns.
Here, you’ll play games by yourself and with others, experience quests and challenges, and hear from gamers who have achieved big things from their work in gaming.
It is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of jobs in the gaming industry but is also a chance to learn how skills developed through gaming can be applied in other careers – local and national employers will be involved as well as the gaming museum in Sheffield.
The gaming virtual work experience is open to Years 10 and 11, and will run from 16th – 20th August 2021.
Click here to register.
Wilmott Dixon – Virtual Work Experience
However, it’s not just about construction! This new ‘future leaders’ virtual work experience project gives you a chance to find out about careers across business such as IT, finance, human resource management etc.
Running over three sessions in the holidays, why not give it a go. This opportunity has only just been released to Rotherham Schools, click here to apply whilst there are still places available.

Virtual Work Experience
Speakers for Schools
Experience is a ‘Speakers for Schools’ Programme. Launched in 2010 by ITV Political Editor Robert Peston, and supported by the Law Family Charitable Foundation ‘Speakers for Schools’ aims to help level the playing field for state school and college students, by improving access to leading figures of all industries and backgrounds, to engage and inspire them in their ambitions, by providing free school talks and experiences of the workplace.
Extracurricular Activites
St John Ambulance Cadets
Young people aged 10-17 can join one of our Cadet units, which operate across England. Units meet once a week.
Life saving skills are at the heart of our Cadet programme. There is also the opportunity to use these first aid skills by supporting our adult volunteers at events.
Police Cadets
Develop your volunteering and personal development opportunities through the VPC. Have fun, exciting experiences and learn about policing.
Army Cadets
Sea Cadets
Sea Cadets makes exploring the world, and who you want to be, feel safe and exciting at the same time.
National Citizen Service
Want to make this summer one you’ll never forget? Register for NCS today and get ready to meet a bunch of new mates, learn life lessons, skills and hacks, get your voice out there, and push yourself to new limits…in the best way possible!
Girl Guides
We build girls’ confidence and raise their aspirations. We give them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good. We give them a space to have fun.
Scouts
Young people in the Scouts take part in an exciting programme of activities from kayaking to coding. They develop character skills like resilience, initiative and tenacity; employability skills such as leadership, teamwork and problem solving; and practical skills like cooking and first aid.