Here you will find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, virtual insight days and careers fairs. We ask students and their parents to research fully any opportunities advertised on the noticeboard to ensure they are happy with the organisation they are linking with and its value for money if there is a cost.
Notices & Key Dates
- Work Experience Week – w/c Monday 8th June 2026 – Year 12 students undertake a compulsory week of work experience to give a greater understanding of the world of work in their chosen area and help build links for future employment opportunities. The school will help where possible, but ultimately it is down to students themselves to organise their placement. For more advice on work experience take a look at this UniFrog Guide.
- *New Work Experience Opportunity – Northumberland National park
- *New Local Opportunity* – Adapt North East
Featured Opportunities
Find 3-5-day in-person and virtual work experience placements and 3-5-hour introductory Insight Days with leading UK employers. Try searching for keywords such as opportunity type, location or employer name or click on filters to refine your search by placement type, industry or date range.
Students wishing to attend should complete a Unifrog request and email sixthform@qehs.net for permission to miss lessons if it is in school time.
Work Experience
Sustainable Engergy
Virtual Work Experience
Years 11, 12 & 13
Virtual STEM Work Experience with NESO – Tuesday 17th February, 10am – 2:30pm
Are you interested in an exciting career in engineering and energy systems? Join this virtual STEM work experience to discover opportunities in the engineering and energy sector and learn how you can shape the future of sustainable energy.
NESO is part of the UK Government, is publicly owned and has a core responsibility for the entire distribution of the UK’s electricity and gas supply. They have some fantastic student programmes on offer and this work experience day will give students a unique insight to the work they do.
Politics
Virtual Work experience (2 days)
Ages 14-19
Houses of parliament – 3rd – 4th March 2026, 10:00am – 3:00pm
Applications close at 4.30pm 17th Feb 2026
Curious about how Parliament works behind the scenes? Want to explore careers that shape democracy, policy and public life? Our House of Lords virtual work experience programme offers a unique chance to step inside one of the UK’s most historic institutions and meet the people who make it run.
Why take part?
- Gain real insight into careers in Parliament.
- Meet professionals from a wide range of roles.
- Build confidence and clarity about your future career.
- Take away practical ideas for your next step.
A one page flyer is also available to view here: View our online PDF
LAW
Work Experience Insight Day
Yrs 11 & 12
Clifford Chance – Thursday 19th February, 10:00am – 3:00pm
This one-day virtual programme is designed to help ambitious students like you develop key legal skills, learn from leading solicitors, and understand the different pathways into the legal profession.
- Law work experience is rare – secure this now to strengthen your future applications
- Explore Clifford Chance’s practice areas and take part in interactive legal case studies.
- Practical workshops to develop your legal skills
- Learn about the ACCESS & SPARK Programmes on offer– a direct route into law with Clifford Chance
- Advice from professionals on securing top legal opportunities
- Boost your applications for law programmes and university with real experience
Location: Zoom (Virtual)
Certificate of completion at the end to use on CV’s, applications and LinkedIn
STEM
Summer Placement
Widening Participation
Yr 12
Destination STEM – Applications Open Now.
We have an exciting local summer placement opportunity for students with an interest in STEM skills and subjects. These placements take place during the summer holidays and are designed to provide a meaningful research experience, enabling students to gain real-world STEM workplace exposure while developing valuable research skills and industry insight.
Completing a short research placement over the summer can help strengthen university applications and give students a competitive advantage for future study and employment.
Key details are outlined below:
Placement duration: 1–2 weeks between 20th July and 28th August 2026
Bursary: £135 to support travel and other expenses
Eligibility: To be eligible, students must:
- Be over 16 years old and in Year 12
- Be in full-time, state-funded education in the UK
- Have at least 5 GCSEs at Level 5 or above, OR Scottish Nationals at Level B or above, including maths, a science subject, and English (or another humanities subject)
- Be studying one or more A-levels or Scottish Highers (or equivalent) in science, technology, engineering, economics, geography, psychology, computing, statistics, or maths
Additionally, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be living, or have lived, in local authority care
- Be a carer
- Come from a family with a combined household income below £40,000 a year (pre-tax)
- Be entitled to free school meals, either now or at any time in the last six years
- Be in receipt of, or entitled to, discretionary payments at school/college (e.g., EMA, 16–19 Bursary Fund)
- Be the first in their immediate family to participate in higher education (not including any older siblings)
Students who express an interest in this opportunity will be given priority during the selection process. To apply, students should email students@stem.org.uk to receive the application link.
Environment/ Conservation
Work Experience Placements
Ages 14-18
Northumberland National Park – Applications Deadline Friday 20th February 2026, 5pm
We are now accepting applications for June work experience with the Northumberland National Park Ranger Team. Details, including the application process, can be found here
Dentistry
Work Experience Placements
Years 12 & 13
South Wales Dental Centre – Work Experience – Saturday 7th February, 8:30 am – 4 pm
This day course is designed by a specialist oral surgeon. The aim of the course is to give you an understanding of what it takes to become a dentist and the various career pathways within dentistry to help decided if it is the career for you.
Heritage/Museums/
Archeology
Work Experience Placements
Ages 16-17
The Vindolanda Trust – Application Window: Opens January
The Vindolanda Trust is offering an exciting work experience programme for students aged 16 – 17 that lets you dive into the world of heritage, culture, archaeology and the fascinating Roman history of Hadrian’s Wall. This work experience would especially suit students who are interested in Heritage, Culture and Museums. However, there are a variety of careers within the heritage sector, and so this programme could meet a broad range of interests and subjects, including STEM.
You’ll spend the week at the award-winning Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda Fort and Museum, getting up close with archaeological excavations at Roman Magna and Vindolanda Fort. You’ll even help with post-excavation processes and see how we preserve the amazing artefacts we find.
Our Work Experience weeks will be 8th June – 12th June & 29th June – 3rd July 2026. Application forms will be released in January 2026.
Theatre
Work Experience Placements
Ages 14-18
Northern Stage – Work Experience – Closing Date 1st March
Work experience programme is for anyone aged 14-18 looking to gain an insight into the backstage roles in a theatre. It is one intensive week (6-10 July or 13-17 July) with a focus on technical and production, culminating in a short technical show at the end of the week.
- Work with professional technicians
- Take part in practical workshops
- Learn new skills
- Create a technical showcase
Fire Cadet
Youth Programme
Age 13 – 17
Northumberland Fire and Rescue
Fire cadets is an exciting youth programme for young people in Northumberland, offering real firefighters experiences, life skills, and even the chance to earn a qualification.
Medical & Dental
Virtual Work Experience
Age 14+
University Hospitals Birmingham: Medical & Dental Mentor
Gaining valuable work experience is a must-have for medical and dental applications, and we understand the challenges you may face while finding the right placement. Luckily, medical and dental schools have accepted Virtual Work Experience as a valuable alternative to in-person shadowing, and can play a significant role in preparing students for their in-person work placements through structured teaching and opportunities to speak directly with healthcare professionals.
Local Council
Work Experience
Yr 12
Northumberland County Council
Students who are interested in work experience with NCC, which is planned to run across different sectors of the council, should complete the following Application Form(8 weeks’ notice is required for placements).
Observe a GP
Virtual Work Experience
Yrs 12 & 13
Royal College of General Practitioners
Observe GP is an alternative to work experience for aspiring medics aged 16 and over, who are living in the UK. It is a free interactive video platform providing insights into the role of a GP and the wider care team.
Medical School
Virtual Work Experience
Yrs 12 & 13
Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Brighton and Sussex Medical School course provides virtual work experience for those looking to apply to medical school.
Paid/Voluntary Work
Community
Voluntary Work
Yr 12 & 13
Adapt North East: Volunteer Hub Support Worker
Adapt (North East) is looking for friendly, community-minded volunteers to support the smooth running of our Adapt Community Hub — a warm, inclusive space offering connection, wellbeing activities and support for people facing loneliness, disability, poor mental health or financial hardship.
As a Community Hub Support Worker, you will:
- Welcome visitors and help create a friendly, inclusive atmosphere
- Spend time listening and building relationships with those who attend the hub
- Provide directions and help people access activitie
- Support simple practical tasks such as tidying and preparing rooms
- Promote engagement with the hub’s wellbeing activities
- Work alongside staff, volunteers and local service providers to deliver workshops and activities within the hub
We know our volunteers bring a wealth and breadth of experience and we also welcome your ideas about how we can shape the hub.
Arts Sector
Voluntary Work
Age 18+
Novo Theatre & Live Theatre
Novo Theatre – Volunteer Stewards: Salt & Smoke; Stories of Blyth. Volunteering with Novo Theatre can improve your confidence or simply provide a fun and new experience.
Live Theatre’s volunteers are an incredible group of people who give a wealth of energy and enthusiasm to the work of the theatre. Volunteer roles are varied and available in Live Tales, our children and young people’s writing centre, and in other areas of Live Theatre’s work. They include supporting and encouraging children and young people to write, illustrating their stories, or leading tours of our buildings.
PE Coaching
Voluntary Work
Years 12 & 13
Full of Beans – Hexham Community Sports Hub
Full of Beans who offer PE based clubs and activities are looking for sixth form students who could support extra curricular PE delivery with them after school and at the weekends. This is primarily a voluntary position but there may be an option to pay the students.
email Johnpaul@fullofbeansfitess.co.uk to enquire or apply.
Youth Club
Voluntary Work
Years 12 & 13
North Tyne Youth – Humshaugh
Volunteering at Hamshaugh North Tyne Youth Club, Tuesday during term time.
To find out more and apply contact Gemma Richardson, gemma.richardson@northtyneyouth.co.uk
Media Communications
Voluntary Work
Year 12 & 13
Tynedale Hospice at Home – Social Media Volunteer
Social Media volunteering hours and location are flexible. You will work closely with our Engagement and Communications Officer who will offer full training, help manage your volunteer time and is responsible for ensuring the running of our media accounts.
We ask for volunteers to commit to at least 4 hours per week. We can be flexible in terms of what day(s) these will be to fit around your lifestyle. This is an ideal role to enhance knowledge for future careers.
To find out more contact Sarah Brunskill, volunteering@tynedalehospice.com
Youth Work
Voluntary Work
Yr 12 & 13
Hexham Youth Initiative
Volunteers give their time, effort and skills to make a difference to young people. At Hexham Youth Initiative we are always keen to welcome new volunteers to our team. Whether you are able to give hours, days or weeks… it all helps.
Gap Year
Exploring
Summer Experience/Gap Year
Yrs 12 & 13
British Exploration Society
Our programmes will help you access some of the most remote and challenging parts of the world. Please note you must either be a British citizen or UK resident and aged 14-25 to join our programmes.
The programmes are means-tested with fundraising targets.
Competitions & Other Opportunities
Life After School
Free Webinar Series
15+
Are You Prepared For Life After School?
The world of work is changing fast. Join this series of free workshops to explore what the future of work could look like and how you can start to prepare for it.
- Tuesday 3rd February, 6pm – Will AI Take My Dream Job?
- Tuesday 10th February, 6pm – How to Futureproof Your Career
Local Contacts
Healthcare (including Medicine)
For work experience within hospitals you must apply to the NHS organisation in your home area (postcode dependent). Use the relevant information here:
https://hee.nhs.uk/hee-your-area/north-east/education-training/trust-work-experience
This page is helpful but some of the information can be out of date! For specific opportunities also look at:
- If you live in Northumberland, please complete this form (Microsoft Word Document) and then email Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at workexperience@northumbria.nhs.uk
- Northumberland Tyne & Wear Foundation Trust work experience is currently on hold but keep checking their website for updates.
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – details at https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/work-experience-(15-to-18-year-olds-in-full-time-education-or-training).aspx
For work experience within a GP practice look at: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/hee-your-area/north-east/education-training/doctors/recruitment/primary-care/medical-school-work-experience-general-practice
This includes a list of GP practices prepared to offer work experience to students not in their area.
It is recommended that you get additional work experience to demonstrate your interest and ability to work with and care for vulnerable adults and children. You may find some useful local contacts by searching: http://www.carehome.co.uk/care_search_results.cfm/searchregion/North-East-England
Working with Children (including Teaching)
Again to gain access to a teaching degree course and many childcare related courses you will be asked to demonstrate experience of the classroom and / or work with children. Most schools are very helpful about this so you need to contact the Head Teacher initially with a request. The following information should help you:
http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Education/Schools/Contact.aspx
https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/education-and-learning/find-a-school-or-academy
http://www.durham.gov.uk/schools
https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/2783/School-directory
https://northumberland.fsd.org.uk/kb5/northumberland/fsd/family.page?familychannel=1
Heritage, Culture and Literature
Tyne & Wear Museums: https://twmuseums.org.uk/volunteers/school-work-experience
National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/work-experience
English Heritage: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/about-volunteering/
Theatre Royal: contact Kim.hoffman@theatreroyal.co.uk
The Glasshouse International: https://theglasshouseicm.org/
Seven Stories – The National Centre for Children’s Books: Offer work experience during holidays and weekends only.
Contact: Jayne Nicholson, Operations Manager (0300 3301095 ext 303/201) Jayne.nicholson@sevenstories.org.uk
The Lit and Phil – the largest independent library outside London housing over 160,000 books (23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE).
Contact: Kay Easson (Head Librarian) email: keasson@litandphil.org.uk (0191 2320192)
Cogito Books (5 St Mary’s Chare, Hexham, NE46 1NQ)
Contact: Claire Grint (01434) 602555 – happy to take students but looking for engaging interested students only. Please contact by telephone initially.
Waterstones bookstores: contact each Store Manager directly
Hexham Courant: the Courant do not offer work experience
Beamish Museum: follow the instructions at http://www.beamish.org.uk/get-involved/work-placement/
Environmental, Tourism, Ecology, Archaeology
Northumberland National Park: Apply in writing by emailing dave.richardson@nnpa.org.uk (put “work experience” in the subject line)
Northumberland County Council: may have some relevant opportunities (libraries, tourist information, ask them about conservation work too). Fill in the application form and once NCC receive the form they will make a decision as to whether a placement is available in your chosen department.
Visit here to find out more about Northumberland County Council Work Experience
Newcastle University: School of History, Classics & Archaeology. Contact Dr Jane Webster (0191) 2087575 or email: jane.webster@ncl.ac.uk
Engineering and Manufacturing
Egger UK Ltd.: Egger will offer placements in all their departments (not only engineering) so get in quick if you would like to look at Finance, HR, Marketing, IT, etc… Send your request initially to Philip Maloney (Recruitment Co-ordinator) email: philip.maloney@egger.com
Vattenfall Wind Power:
Vattenfall, a Swedish company head-quartered in Stockholm, is one of Europe’s largest producers of electricity and low-carbon heating with operations across northern Europe. Vattenfall has had an office in Hexham employing nearly 100 staff for the past 14 years. They are offering a number of students the opportunity to work with them for a week to look at a broad range of roles in the vibrant and growing renewable energy sector – from civil and electrical engineers and wind farm technicians, through to ecological and environmental analysis, project management, communications, and law. Students will have the opportunity to learn from a number of Vattenfall employees about jobs and routes into the renewable energy sector, have a guided tour of our Ray onshore wind farm near Otterburn, and work together to design their own wind farm. They are passionate about diversity and creating a progressive and inclusive workforce. Please email Shalmali Mutalik and Joanne Blackwell with a CV and short statement expressing interest – Shalmali.mutalik@vattenfall.com; joanne.blackwell@vattenfall.com
Veterinary Studies
Scott Mitchell Associates Veterinary Surgeons (Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG, www.vets1.com) require a CV from the student wishing to undertake the placement and details of when they would be looking to carry out the work experience.Contact: 01434 608999, farm@vets1.com