The Heathrow work placement was an amazing experience, and I would like to sincerely thank you for providing us with this incredible opportunity. For the first two days, we were based at the ICTS office in Stockley Park, where we were introduced to the key roles within the organisation. These included the planning team, the vetting team, and the department responsible for carrying out five-year background checks on people applying for security roles at airports, as ICTS operates in many sectors beyond Heathrow. We learned what each of these teams does, how they operate, and why their roles are so essential to the company's success.

On Wednesday, Ram and I were the first students to visit Heathrow Airport, which was a fantastic experience. Once we arrived, we were assigned to different terminals. My role involved shadowing the supervisors at the departure gates, where I observed them checking that passengers' boarding passes matched their passports. I also witnessed several passengers undergoing additional security screening because their boarding passes displayed "SSSS," which indicates that the US government has randomly selected them for enhanced security checks.

Thursday and Friday were similar to the first two days, but I also had the opportunity to observe an interview for a security position at a bank. This was possible because one of the staff members worked within ICTS's corporate division rather than the aviation sector. In addition, one of the managers taught some of us how to use Claude AI effectively, explaining the importance of giving clear and detailed prompts, especially as artificial intelligence continues to play an increasingly significant role in the future of work.

Overall, this work experience was extremely insightful, and I would like to thank you once again for giving me this opportunity. One lesson that will stay with me is that none of the managers began their careers in management. Most of them started as security officers at Heathrow and worked their way up through dedication, commitment, and loyalty. It was inspiring to see how far hard work and perseverance can take someone within a company, and it has motivated me to adopt the same mindset in my own future career. AK Year 12

I completed my work experience at Elthorne Park High School, my former secondary school. It was a really enjoyable experience because I had the opportunity to work alongside many of my old teachers and learn more about their day-to-day responsibilities. I asked lots of questions and gained an insight into tasks such as interviewing prospective students and using SIMS to find important information, including students' timetables and lesson locations. I also helped students who were lost find their classrooms, supported them in settling into lessons, and assisted some students with their maths homework when they needed extra help. Since I already knew the school and the staff well, I did not face many challenges during the placement. My favourite part was spending time with the teachers who had supported me throughout my own time at school and knowing that I was able to help them in return. Although the experience has not changed my career aspirations, as I still hope to work in healthcare, it showed me that education is another career I would enjoy if my plans ever changed. Throughout the week, I developed my communication and teamwork skills, learnt how to use SIMS and other office equipment such as a shredder, and gained confidence in supporting both staff and students. The biggest challenge I faced was finishing my placement, I enjoyed being back at my old school so much that I didn't want the week to end. SS Year 12

I completed my work experience in school, where I had the opportunity to support the science technicians. This experience gave me an insight into what it is like to work in a laboratory environment and helped me develop a range of skills. I improved my communication skills by working closely with the technicians, asking questions, and understanding the importance of teamwork. I also developed my problem-solving skills by organising scientific equipment into the correct boxes and storage areas, ensuring everything was properly arranged and easy to access.

During the week, I also supported Mr Green with the Year 7 Induction Day, which was similar to taking part in a community service activity. I enjoyed meeting the new Year 7 students, helping them feel comfortable, and supporting them as they prepared to begin secondary school. On Thursday and Friday, I worked alongside my peers to assist Ms Jassal with the Academic Mentoring Days for current Year 7 and Year 10 students. This involved welcoming parents and students, registering attendees, escorting them around the school site, and ensuring they arrived at the correct meetings.

Overall, my work experience gave me a valuable understanding of how a workplace operates and showed me how every member of staff contributes to creating an organised and successful environment. I gained confidence, improved my communication skills, and developed a greater appreciation for the teamwork and effort required behind the scenes to keep a school running effectively. VG Year 12

During my work experience, I had the opportunity to work with an architecture business, where I gained an insight into the daily responsibilities and processes involved in the industry. Throughout the week, I visited and inspected different building sites to ensure that projects were progressing according to plan. I also had the opportunity to explore the software used by architects to create designs and blueprints for different properties, which helped me understand the technical side of the profession.

The experience gave me a greater appreciation of the importance of time management, as I saw how architects need to balance multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and manage different stages of projects throughout the day. I also developed my organisational skills by preparing materials for client meetings, including printing and arranging architectural drawings and schematics. Overall, the placement provided me with valuable insight into the profession and helped me develop important workplace skills such as organisation, communication, and attention to detail. ZA Year 12