Education and Employers and the Opportunity area partnerships DfE

Challenge:

Funded by the Department for Education Opportunity Area Partnership and delivered by Education and Employers, Learn by Design and dmh Associates, this innovative initiative ran throughout Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The programme aim was to connect primary schools with the world of work, break down gender stereotypes, help businesses to engage with primary aged children whilst exciting young people in the region around the types of careers that they may one day want to explore.

Solution:

Through comprehensive engagement with over 40 Primary Schools, 15 Multi Academy Trusts and local businesses, along with a host of Career Volunteers, Learn by Design were instrumental in creating and delivering a “Our Future” programme of interactive activities. The activities involved focused on providing meaningful encounters with positive role models, reducing stereotypes based on gender, ethnic background, socio-economic background, and disability the opportunity to meet a wide range of people doing different jobs in their local communities. Exposure to real life careers at an early age, is particularly important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Legacy:

For each of the activities, legacy materials were produced to enable the school to sustain the project and build on children’s experiences both in school and at home. An online resource portal includes lesson plans, videos, work sheets and structured activities, as well as guidance for both teachers and parents/carers in continuing the discussion about careers with the children.

CPD webinars for school senior leaders and teachers provided the opportunity to discover more about the evidence base and evaluation findings from the programme, as well as how to embed career-related learning in primary schools.