Work experience

Do I take work experience students?

Yes, I do.

I offer work experience placements within my studio for Year 11 students and college students developing their creative portfolios. Spaces are very limited, and I usually take two or three students each year. Placements can be arranged on either a part-time basis or as a full working week, depending on the needs of the student, the studio schedule and availability.

My studio is based at Nucleus Arts, a charity and arts centre. All placements are formally arranged through Nucleus Arts, with volunteer manager Beth Atkins coordinating the placement paperwork and formal arrangements on my behalf. I work with students in the studio, while Beth manages the administrative side of arranging their placement.

Getting to know you

Before accepting a student, I like to arrange a short introductory or “match” interview. My studio is a real working environment containing specialist tools, sharp equipment, machinery, dust, heat and materials that require care and awareness. Health and safety comes first, both for the student and for me. The meeting helps us discuss how the student communicates, understands instructions and works safely, with support where needed.

The interview is also a chance for us both to find out whether the placement is a good fit. I welcome students who are interested in creativity, curious about a future in the arts and keen to learn. I want the placement to be something the student genuinely wants to take part in.

I do not require CVs for work experience applications. For creative roles, a portfolio or even sketchbooks tell me far more. I want to see what you make, what interests you, how you think creatively and where your current skills are. Your portfolio does not need to be polished or professional. I simply want to see genuine work and enthusiasm. Casual and comfortable clothing is fine for interviews; this is a working art studio, not a corporate office. For placement days, please follow the clothing guidance below.

What you might experience

Placement activities will vary depending on the student’s abilities, confidence, interests and the day-to-day needs of the studio. Students may experience:

  • Making and finishing creative work
  • Learning how tools and materials are used safely
  • Packaging and fulfilling customer orders
  • Customer enquiries and communication
  • Running online shops and social media
  • Preparing materials and studio organisation
  • General cleaning and maintenance tasks
  • Supporting community workshops or events
  • Observing how a self-employed creative business operates

Students may work with wood, stone, metals, paints, dust-producing materials, adhesives, heat tools and other specialist equipment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for some activities and will be provided where needed.

I am DBS checked, first aid trained and previously held a chaperone licence. I keep well-stocked first aid supplies, fire blankets and burns kits on site and regularly work with young people through Nucleus Arts and community arts projects.

What to wear

Please wear practical clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Avoid precious clothing and loose items that could catch in machinery.

  • Wear closed-toe footwear. The studio contains sharp chisels and heavy stone that could cause injury if dropped.
  • Tie long hair back.
  • Keep necklaces tucked away.
  • Remove rings and large drop earrings before studio activities.

Hours, lunch and visits

My studio hours vary around administration days, workshops and other commitments. Placement days and times will be discussed with the student and their parent or guardian in advance.

Where possible, I may arrange opportunities to meet other artists working in a field the student is interested in. Parents or guardians may be asked to complete off-site permission paperwork for these visits or for the student to leave the site to buy food. These arrangements will be discussed before any off-site activity.

Lunch is not provided, so please bring your own or discuss arrangements for buying food off site. Water, coffee and herbal teas are available. If you prefer regular tea, please bring your own tea bags, as I do not keep these in the studio.

I eat my own lunches in the studio. Please let Beth and me know about any food allergies, including nut allergies, before the placement so we can discuss them and any arrangements needed in advance.

Placement arrangements

The school work experience placements I offer are usually unpaid and arranged as part of the student’s school curriculum and coursework. Placement arrangements are discussed through Nucleus Arts before the placement begins.

I also welcome enquiries from college students who need to learn a specific skill for their coursework. I sometimes offer a few hours of help in the studio in exchange for skill-learning time. Please discuss this separately with Beth and me so the proposed activities and arrangements can be reviewed before anything is agreed.

Support and communication

I am happy to consider students with special educational needs (SEN) and neurodivergent students on an individual basis. Different ways of thinking are often a strength within creative environments. What matters is willingness to learn and finding out together whether the studio environment and available support are a good fit for the student.

I can offer guidance and support alongside my day-to-day studio work, but I cannot pause all studio work to provide continuous one-to-one support. Please discuss support needs with Beth in advance so we can consider the arrangements together.

Language interpreters, sign-language interpreters and support people who help a student communicate, understand instructions or participate are welcome, with arrangements discussed in advance through Nucleus Arts. A language barrier or the use of sign language is not in itself a barrier to enquiring about a placement.

During interviews and placements, I want to hear the student’s own ideas and interests, with support where needed. Parents and guardians can share relevant information beforehand, but are asked to give students space to take an active role rather than answering on their behalf. The aim is for support to help the student express themselves, not replace their participation.

How to enquire

If you are interested in a placement, please enquire through Nucleus Arts and ask for volunteer manager Beth Atkins. Include your school or college, preferred placement dates, a little about your creative interests and examples of your work. Please also mention any communication or support arrangements you would like to discuss. Beth coordinates the formal arrangements, and we can then explore whether a studio placement is a good fit.