Delivering great placements is one thing, but how do you know they’re working?
Measuring the real impact of work experience programmes is essential for continuous improvement and long-term student success.

At The Changing Education Group, we help schools move beyond surface-level stats and start tracking what matters: student growth, skill development, and future outcomes.

Why Should You Evaluate Work Experience Programmes?

Simply counting how many students went on placement doesn’t tell the full story.

By evaluating key metrics, schools can:

• Identify what’s working
• Spot areas for improvement
• Strengthen employer partnerships
• Demonstrate impact to stakeholders
• Align with Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE guidance

A strong evaluation process ensures your work experience programme delivers lasting value, not just a line on a CV.

What Are the Key Success Metrics?

1. Student Satisfaction

Are students finding value in their placements?
Surveys, interviews, and reflection forms can help you gauge:

• How confident students felt before and after placement
• Whether the experience matched their interests
• If they’d recommend it to others

This insight helps tailor future placements and improve student engagement.

2. Skill Development

Are students gaining the skills employers need?
Use employer feedback and self-assessments to track development in areas like:

• Communication and teamwork
• Initiative and time management
• Industry-specific or technical skills

The more targeted your tracking, the more support you can provide.

3. Employer Satisfaction

Did the placement benefit the host organisation?
Gather employer feedback on:

• Student preparedness
• Professionalism and contribution
• Willingness to host again

This helps schools refine employer outreach and build long-term relationships.

4. Progression Outcomes

Did the placement help shape students’ next steps?
You can track:

• Post-16 or post-18 pathways
• Applications to further study or apprenticeships
• Early employment success

This data shows how effectively your programme supports transitions into the world of work.

How Can Feedback Improve Future Placements?

Collecting Student and Employer Insights

Establish structured feedback loops at the end of each placement. Use:

• Digital surveys
• Employer evaluations
• Student debriefs

This qualitative data reveals both wins and gaps, and helps build a stronger programme over time.

Spotting Patterns and Trends

Over time, consistent feedback can highlight:

• Industries with high satisfaction scores
• Common student challenges
• Placement types that drive skill development

These insights inform smarter decisions, from matching processes to pre-placement prep.

Why Track Long-Term Impact?

Short-term outcomes matter, but so do the ripple effects.

Monitor Student Journeys

Check in months or years after placement to see:

• Where students ended up
• Whether they stayed in their chosen field
• How they reflect on their experience now

This helps measure the lasting influence of your programme on student success.

Evidence for Stakeholders

Long-term data supports:

• SLT reports
• Ofsted inspections
• Funding bids and MAT discussions

It also reinforces the value of your careers provision to parents and local partners.

Let’s Build Smarter, Stronger Work Experience Programmes

At The Changing Education Group, we believe evaluation is the engine of impact.

By measuring what matters, student growth, skill gains, and long-term progression, schools can deliver work experience that transforms futures, not just timetables.

Email: workwithus@changingeducation.co.uk
Visit: changingeducation.co.uk
Book a demo to see how we track success through our Connect platform.

FAQs:

What’s the best way to gather employer feedback?
Use short, structured digital surveys post-placement. Keep it quick but insightful.

Can schools measure skill development accurately?
Yes, especially with structured self-assessments and employer evaluations aligned to specific skills.

How often should we evaluate our programme?
Ideally, after every placement cycle. Annual reviews also help identify longer-term trends.

What if a placement didn’t go as planned?
Use that feedback to refine your matching, prep process, or employer guidance; every insight adds value.

Do these metrics help with Gatsby Benchmark compliance?
Absolutely. Tracking outcomes supports Benchmark 6 (experiences of workplaces) and aligns with Ofsted expectations.