Sad but true
My son is in first year of 6th form and really loves science, engineering maths, so no fool. However trying to get some sort of work experience has proven that the UK does not value this sort of student. For the Headstart courses, fine if you want to be an accountant, lawyer, doctor, they will provide work experience at companies, but for engineering (one course for the WHOLE of engineering!!). Well, there's 30 places in THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTRY and even then, it's at a university, not a company.
So that's what we think of kids who are our future - go be an accountant, or a lawyer, but otherwise don't bother.
Should really sign off as p@@@ssed off of surburbia