Kizzie Tolley is getting back into her GCSE studies at Peers Technology College after taking two weeks off to go to work, writes David Duffy.

The 15-year-old spent a fortnight helping teachers at Windale First School, which serves Greater Leys in Oxford, and said: "It was a great experience and I really enjoyed working with children."

During her time at the school, which has 230 children in the five to nine age group, she worked with small groups on art projects and also helped teachers with preparation work for lessons.

She was one of 180 students from Peers, who spent two weeks work experience with organisations and companies.

They included management companies, banks, local stores, university departments, a dry stone walling company, the Oxford City Works departments and sports centres. Ian Jones, careers co-ordinator at Peers, said: "We have been organising work experience for more than 20 years because we feel strongly that it is a valuable experience for the students. Many of those taking part eventually get jobs with the companies they visit."

Janet Dunkley, who co-ordinates work experience students for Windale First School, said: "We have young people on work experience throughout the year. It is good for them to be able to experience a working environment and we find their contributions extremely useful."

The number of 15-year-olds getting a taste of the world of work is increasing through links forged by education-business partnerships in Oxfordshire, which are backed by the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council.