In this article
A work experience request works when it is under 150 words and contains six things: who you are, your school and year, the exact dates, one specific reason for choosing that employer, an offer to do any useful task, and confirmation that your school provides the paperwork and insurance. Copy any template below, replace the brackets, and send it to a named person.
Before you send anything
- Get the exact dates and the paperwork deadline from your careers lead first.
- Find a real name. "Dear Sir/Madam" reads as a mass email and is usually deleted.
- Print it for shops, cafés and workshops; email it to offices, schools and practices.
- Send five at a time, keep a log, follow up once after a week.
- Check your email address sounds like a person, and check the spelling of the business name.
What every request needs
Employers turn down vague requests because vague requests create work for them. Every line below removes a reason to say no.
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Your name, school and year group - so they know who is responsible for you.
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The exact dates. Employers decide on dates before they decide on the person.
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One specific reason for choosing them. Specific reads as genuine; flattery reads as copied.
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An offer to do the unglamorous jobs. Willing beats impressive at 14 or 15.
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The reassurance that school handles forms, insurance and the risk assessment - this is the objection you cannot see.
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A contact number, yours or a parent's, so a yes takes one call.
The five templates
Free to copy, nothing to sign up for. Replace everything in square brackets - especially the reason line, which is the part employers actually read.
Template 1 - the email that gets replies
Use this as your default. Keep it under 150 words and always name the dates.
Subject: Work experience request - [dates] - [your name], Year [10/11] at [school] Dear [name], My name is [your name] and I am in Year [10] at [school] in [town]. My school's work experience week runs from [start date] to [end date] and I am looking for a placement. I would like to spend it with you because [one honest, specific reason - "you are the closest practice to my school and I want to work with animals" or "I want to see how a small kitchen is run before I choose my A-levels"]. I am happy to do any task that is useful, including cleaning, tidying, stock or paperwork. My school provides the placement forms, insurance details and a risk assessment, and my teacher [name] can be contacted at [school email]. Would you be able to take one student for that week? If a full week is not possible, I would be grateful for even a single day. Thank you for reading this. [Your name] [Your phone number or parent's, and your email]
Template 2 - asking for one half day
Use this when a full week keeps getting refused. A much smaller ask, and the yes rate is far higher.
Subject: Could I shadow someone for one morning? - [your name], Year [10] Dear [name], I am [your name], Year [10] at [school]. I know a full work experience week is a lot to take on, so I wanted to ask something smaller: could I shadow someone at [company] for one morning during [dates]? I am interested in [field] and I would mostly like to watch, ask a few questions and help with anything simple. My school can provide the paperwork and insurance details. Any morning that suits you would be brilliant. Thank you, [Your name] [Contact details]
Template 3 - the one follow-up
Send once, about a week later. Then move on to the next name on your list.
Subject: Re: Work experience request - [dates] Dear [name], I emailed last week about work experience from [start date] to [end date] and I know how busy things are, so I wanted to check whether you had a chance to look at it. If it is not possible this year, that is completely fine - I would just be grateful to know so I can look elsewhere. Thank you either way, [Your name]
Template 4 - for a parent or carer to send
Some employers respond better when an adult confirms the arrangements. Send it alongside, not instead of, your child's own email.
Subject: Work experience for my [son/daughter], Year [10] at [school] - [dates] Dear [name], I am [your name], parent of [child's name], who is in Year [10] at [school]. [Child] has written to you about work experience during [dates]. I wanted to confirm that we would arrange all travel and that the school provides the placement agreement, insurance details and risk assessment. I am contactable on [phone] throughout the week if anything is needed. [Child] is interested in [field] and would be glad of any task that helps, however small. Thank you for considering it, [Your name]
Template 5 - the thank-you that gets you invited back
Send on the last day or the day after. This is how casual work and references start.
Subject: Thank you - work experience week Dear [name], Thank you for having me this week. The part I found most useful was [specific thing you actually did or noticed], and I hadn't realised how much [genuine observation] mattered until I saw it. If you ever need help at busy times, weekends or holidays, I would be very glad to hear from you. Thanks again, [Your name] [Contact details]
How to send them
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Shops, cafés, salons, garages, workshops: print it, walk in at a quiet time, and hand it to whoever is in charge. This gets the most yeses.
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Offices, schools, nurseries, vets, pharmacies: email, addressed to a named person from their website.
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Anywhere a family member or neighbour works: ask them who to send it to first. Most placements start this way.
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Keep a simple log - business, contact, date sent, date followed up, outcome.
Not sure where to aim? Our work experience ideas for Year 10 and 11 lists the sectors that most often take under-16s, plus the hours rules for paid work.
If nobody replies
Silence is normal and it is not about you. Switch to the half-day template, add charities, libraries, clubs and community organisations to your list, and tell your careers lead early so you can agree an alternative in writing.
One alternative worth setting up properly is running your own week - a real idea, costed, priced and put in front of customers, with a written record at the end. Our guide to what to do if you can't find a placement has a six-day plan and is straight about what that does and does not count towards - your school, and only your school, decides whether it meets their requirement.
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Free tools to price and pitch an idea – profit, pricing and pitch tools, most with no account needed.
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Free one-page business plan template – printable, and useful as the plan for a self-run week.
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Trailblazers track (15-18) – Module 1 free: real earning, applications and work experience framing.
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For parents – what free and £29 access actually include, in plain terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write a work experience request letter?
Keep it under 150 words and include six things: who you are, your school and year, the exact dates you need, one specific reason for choosing that employer, an offer to help with any task, and confirmation that your school provides the paperwork, insurance and risk assessment. Address a named person and give a contact number.
Should I email or post a work experience letter?
Email for offices, schools, practices and anywhere with a website contact address. Print it and hand it in for shops, cafés, salons and workshops, where the person who decides is usually behind the counter and rarely reads the inbox. Walking in politely with a printed letter works better than most people expect.
How many places should I contact?
Build a list of twenty and expect most not to reply. Send five at a time so you can keep track of follow-ups, and log who you contacted and when. That log is also useful evidence of persistence if you end up arranging an alternative with your careers lead.
What do I do if nobody replies?
Follow up once, then switch tactics: ask for a single half day rather than a week, approach charities, libraries, clubs and community organisations, and tell your careers lead early so you can agree an alternative such as a virtual programme, volunteering or a self-directed project.
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