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Toner Avenue Primary School in Hebburn has embedded careers education into everyday learning through the Pupil Career Profiles initiative. Led by Careers Lead Lucy Almond, the programme engages pupils from Reception to Year 6 in meaningful discussions about careers through trips and visitor sessions. This initiative aims to increase awareness of employment pathways, challenge stereotypes, and foster aspiration.

The programme aligns with several Primary Benchmarks, including encounters with employers (Benchmark 5), workplace experiences (Benchmark 6), and linking curriculum learning to careers (Benchmark 4). It has been rolled out across the school, involving all 480 pupils.

Pupils learning about careers in the automotive industry at Halfords 

Challenges

Making careers education relevant to primary-aged pupils was a key challenge. The school wanted to show children how their learning connects to future careers, while also addressing stereotypes based on gender or social class. A further challenge was ensuring consistency across year groups and integrating the programme without overburdening teachers or disrupting the curriculum.

Approach

How It Works

The Pupil Career Profiles system integrates career learning into existing school activities, such as workplace visits and guest speaker sessions.

1. Career Profiles for Each Encounter:

During career-related encounters, pupils complete a Pupil Career Profile as a class. They ask professionals questions about their jobs, such as the skills required, the benefits of their role, and advice for those interested in pursuing similar careers.

2. Classroom Reflection:

After the encounter, teachers guide pupils in reflecting on what they learned. This allows pupils to evaluate the job and consider whether it aligns with their interests.

3. Tracking Aspirations:

The profiles are stored in career books, which follow pupils throughout their school journey. This enables teachers to track how aspirations change over time and tailor support accordingly.

4. Celebrating Transferrable Skills:

The programme links careers education to Toner Avenue’s school values, focusing on transferrable skills like teamwork, communication, and resilience. These skills are celebrated weekly in assemblies, with “Star of the Week” certificates tied to these values.

Impact

For Pupils

The initiative has helped pupils see how their classroom learning connects to careers, motivating them to develop key skills.

• Pupils are now more aware of the variety of career options available and the importance of transferrable skills.
• They are increasingly confident in discussing their aspirations and exploring new industries.

Student Feedback:

• Smith, aged 10: “It helps me choose what career I want and gives me information about lots of different careers in the North East.”

For Teachers

Teachers benefit from a simple, structured system to embed careers education into their lessons.

• Career books provide a clear record of pupils’ career learning and aspirations, helping teachers deliver personalised guidance.
• The focus on transferrable skills has had a positive impact on pupils’ engagement and behaviour across the curriculum.

Staff Feedback:

“Children and staff can see a clear difference between where we started and where we are now. The career books show exactly what children have been exposed to and what they are interested in.”

For the School

The programme has created a culture of aspiration, normalising conversations about careers and encouraging pupils to challenge stereotypes. By involving a wide range of professionals, it exposes pupils to diverse career pathways.

Sustainability and Lessons Learned

Tips for Other Schools:

• Tailor the Programme: Adapt the profiles to meet the needs of different age groups and school contexts.
• Normalise Exploration: Encourage pupils to explore a range of careers and help them understand it’s okay if some don’t interest them.
• Communicate Clearly: Ensure staff and pupils understand the purpose of the profiles, and brief visitors on the types of questions pupils might ask.

Future Development:

The programme is fully embedded in the school and will continue to grow as new connections with local businesses are developed. Profiles will be refined to align with pupils’ changing interests.

The Pupil Career Profiles initiative at Toner Avenue Primary School provides a simple, scalable way to integrate careers education into everyday learning. By exposing pupils to a variety of careers and emphasising transferrable skills, the school has fostered curiosity, confidence, and aspiration. This practical approach offers schools to inspire their pupils and meet the Primary Benchmarks.