The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is bringing a ground-breaking new programme to the Island’s primary schoolchildren designed to broaden horizons, challenge stereotypes and develop the skills and sense of self to help them reach their full potential.
The Solent LEP’s Careers Hub is running webinars for primary leaders to find out more about the ‘Start Small, Dream Big’ programme, as primary schools play a crucial role in helping their pupils to raise aspirations.
The Department for Education has directed that the pilot is carried out on the Isle of Wight and in the Portsmouth area initially, as both have been identified as national education investment areas.
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Rachael Randall, Chair of the Solent LEP, said:
“We are excited to offer primary schools in the Solent region the opportunity to learn about the innovative Primary Fund programme. It will benefit the teaching staff and improve the outcomes for pupils by embedding careers-related learning in their school’s curriculum and supporting career-related learning activities.
“Our Careers Hub is looking to engage with primary school leadership teams in order to bridge the gap between school, college and the world of work. These collaborations will help young people to find fulfilling career paths, ensuring they gain the best skills they need to achieve their ambitions.
Elementary School Pupils Telling Story To Teacher
“I encourage primary leaders to engage with the thought-provoking ‘Start Small, Dream Big’ programme which will get more primary school children thinking about opportunities and help to deliver a brighter future for our region’s young people.”
The students enjoyed finding out more about the variety of careers on show and had ideas of their own about what they would like to do when they grow up. Some dream jobs included becoming footballers, actors, and photographers.
Representatives from United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) and the Garlic Farm were present, and former Barton Primary student, Reece Barrett, who is embarking on a career in sports journalism.
Julia Hutchison, Director of Business Development & Marketing at UKSA, said:
“There are lots of really varied jobs in the maritime sector and they’ve discovered the breadth of careers available. We’re just trying to inspire them.”
Mark Snow, Headteacher of Barton Primary School said:
“Children on the Isle of Wight need aspiration and they’ve been fascinated. It opens their eyes to the possibilities.”
The new primary school careers programme is being rolled out by The Careers & Enterprise Company and is backed by investment from the Department for Education.
Nationally, the £2.6million pilot programme targets 2,250 primary schools and 600,000 pupils, located in 55 Education Investment Areas. The goal is to encourage children from disadvantaged backgrounds to dream big about their future careers.
The Solent LEP’s Careers Hub’s next webinar takes place on 13th September for eligible staff from primary schools in the region.
To find out more about the ‘Start Small, Dream Big’ primary school careers programme, email [email protected].
Given the very low educational standards on the island, it might be better to manage expectations. One day you too could be working on the dodgems or serving a burger.
You’d be surprised how many jobs on the Island pay minimum wage or very close to it (look at the jobs page). So fairground and burger flipper would be the same money as many thousands that have jobs on the Island.
Of course that is the case. Consequently, it might be more useful teaching kids how to survive on low wages, like lessons in basic budgeting and even how to grow their own food.
The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is bringing a ground-breaking new programme to the Island’s primary schoolchildren designed to broaden horizons, challenge stereotypes and develop the skills and sense of self to help them reach their full potential.
Given the very low educational standards on the island, it might be better to manage expectations. One day you too could be working on the dodgems or serving a burger.
What’s wrong with working on the dodgems or serving a burger?
Apart from the wages, nothing!
You’d be surprised how many jobs on the Island pay minimum wage or very close to it (look at the jobs page). So fairground and burger flipper would be the same money as many thousands that have jobs on the Island.
Of course that is the case. Consequently, it might be more useful teaching kids how to survive on low wages, like lessons in basic budgeting and even how to grow their own food.