Primary Schools Careers Benchmarking Pilot
Many primary schools recognise the benefits of introducing the ‘world of work’ to young people at an early age. Research shows that children in primary schools begin to form their ideas about their future employment. Over the last couple of years secondary school colleagues have benefitted from a range of local and national development activities around careers guidance and engagement with the business world. One of the most helpful developments has been the ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’, which are based on national and international research and provide a very helpful framework for schools wishing to develop good careers guidance (http://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance). In recognition that the ‘world of work’ and future careers is a really important aspect of the support for young people of all ages active research is now about to get underway in the North East on developing a careers benchmarking model for primary schools – see below for details.
Secondary schools have been able to see the benefits that schools, young people and employers can derive from collaborative work that helps young people explore and prepare for future career pathways. Primary schools across Newcastle are encouraged to get involved with and help inform the primary benchmarking activity that is being arranged through the North East LEP. Please give some serious consideration to your school signing up to be part of the benchmarking pilot.
The North East LEP is delighted to have secured investment to run a Primary Benchmarks pilot programme. This pilot builds on the success of our Good Career Guidance benchmark pilot in secondary schools. This pilot was recognised as transformational, was championed by government and led the way nationally for a new approach to careers guidance. We are determined that our North East primary schools will be at the forefront of national developments in developing a useful early careers programme suitable for primary schools.
There is clear need to develop suitable careers guidance programmes at a primary level. We know that young people begin to form their first aspirations aged three to four years old, by the age of six they are beginning to form opinions about what they cannot do. By aged 10 young people are beginning to make career limiting decisions, which solidify by aged 14. It is critical that we develop a programme that will open up possibilities and horizons for our young people. This pilot is not about asking a four year old to choose a career but helping them see that anything is possible.
We are looking to work with, support and invest in 70 primary schools from across the North East LEP region (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham). This is a unique opportunity for your school to play a crucial role in developing the primary benchmarks, keeping the North East at the forefront of evidence based innovation. We want to know what works, to raise aspirations and inspire positive attitudes to the world of work from an early age and to ensure that primary schools have access to the support and tools they need to achieve this.
To register your initial interest in participating in the primary benchmarks pilot please provide your details - here .
Registrations will close on Friday 23rd November 2018
Please note that each school in a single or multi academy trust must register separately and this is only open to schools based in the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area.
Next steps: Schools that have registered will then be asked to complete a more detailed Expression of Interest Form. This E.O.I. will be issued in the final week of November to all registered schools. It must be completed and returned by Friday 14th December. Further information about the pilot will be sent out at this stage. School selection will take place in late December and schools will be informed of selection outcomes in mid-January. Successful schools will then be brought together to initiate and launch the pilot at the end of January.
Newcastle City Council website