Careers and Aspirations 2023 - 25

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

At Pike Fold Community Primary School, we believe that our children all have the potential to flourish, and we want to do everything we can to help them become whatever they aspire to be in life. We aim to provide our children with a breadth of experiences in the world of work, routes into employment, and employability skills that will help them succeed.

Our Pike Fold Values in Action

Every history and geography topic explores how our four core values - Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, and Problem Solving - are essential skills that connect historical and geographical learning to modern career opportunities.

Did you know...

• Children begin to form aspirations at age 3-4?

• Children already begin to discount options available to them by age 6?

This means that by Key Stage 2, children may have already ruled out career options available to them. We see it as our role to restore any lost aspirations and expose them to the vast career options that exist.

Our Recent Success

We recently organised a whole day 'Careers and Aspirations Fair' featuring over 20 professionals who showcased their professions across all classrooms from EYFS to Year 6. The event was launched by the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who visited our school to emphasise the vital importance of raising aspirations in education as part of the 'Start Small, Dream Big' pilot scheme delivered through our partnership with Teach First and Manchester City Council. This inspiring day successfully broadened our children's understanding of career possibilities and reinforced our commitment to providing ongoing opportunities for professionals to share their expertise and passion with our pupils.

Our Next Steps

Whole School Approach: We will continue to develop our careers education by integrating career-focused activities into our curriculum and creating a school environment that celebrates the skills needed for future success. This includes sharing our approach with the entire school community and planning regular events that inspire and motivate our pupils to think about their future possibilities.

Early Years and Key Stage 1: For our youngest learners, we will weave career discussions naturally into their everyday learning experiences. We plan to invite members of our community to share their work with the children and provide opportunities for exploration through play-based activities. Families will also be encouraged to participate in supporting their children's early understanding of the world of work.

Lower Key Stage 2: As children progress, we will strengthen the connection between their learning and real-world applications by working with local employers and professionals. Through various events and experiences, pupils will begin to understand how their developing skills can be transferred to different contexts and future opportunities.

Upper Key Stage 2: Our older pupils will benefit from more in-depth exploration of career possibilities, with opportunities to reflect on their personal interests and how these might connect to future pathways. We will facilitate meaningful interactions with professionals and community leaders, while encouraging discussions about the various routes available after their primary education.

Through this comprehensive approach, we ensure every child at Pike Fold develops high aspirations and understands the exciting career possibilities that await them.