Careers Excellence Seminar 6

The Careers & Enterprise Company’s sixth Careers Excellence Seminar focused on excellence in career-related learning at primary. 

Our research shows that when primary schools are supported by a Careers Hub and provided access to training:

• School careers provision and leadership commitment improves
• The influence of stereotypes in pupils falls 
• Employers want to engage more  

The expert panellists reflected on the significance of starting early for laying the foundations and smoothing transition between primary and the careers education system in secondary schools. 

By attending the seminar attendees: 

• Gained a greater understanding of the value and impact of career-related learning (CRL).
• Understood more about challenging stereotypes and preparing pupils for transition into secondary education and beyond  
• Learnt about the benefits of taking a holistic and systematic approach to CRL, for example by working within the curriculum and with secondary schools and employers 
• Were inspired to take action to enhance career-related learning for primary pupils
• Secondary Careers Leaders, found out about the foundations their feeder schools are laying in the careers space and how they can work with them to support transition into their careers programme.

The panel discussion concluded with speaker contributions from:

• Julia Haggett, Head of School and DDSL, Co-op Academy Woodslee
• Carys MacRea, Director for Wider Curriculum (Primary), Co-op Academies Trust

In case you missed it, below is a summary of the seminar:

The Careers Excellence Seminar, focused on the importance of embedding careers education in primary schools. Experts from education, business, and careers sectors discussed how early career interventions can broaden aspirations, improve transitions, and challenge stereotypes. The seminar highlighted best practices, employer engagement strategies, and the role of schools and employers in ensuring young people are better prepared for the future. 

Key takeaways from the event include: 

1. Early career education matters – Career aspirations start forming in early childhood, with biases appearing as early as Year 2. Embedding careers education in primary school ensures children see relevance in their learning, broadens aspirations, and prepares them for future transitions.
2. Breaking stereotypes & barriers – Careers education helps tackle gender, class, and cultural stereotypes that limit young people’s aspirations. Engaging employers and diverse role models from various industries is crucial to showcasing opportunities beyond traditional career paths.
3. The role of schools and employers – Strong partnerships between schools, employers, and the community create meaningful career experiences, such as site visits, workshops, and real-world applications of classroom learning. Sustainable employer engagement is key, especially for SMEs. 
4. Careers as a whole-school approach – Careers education should be integrated across the curriculum rather than treated as an add-on. From Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Year 6, linking career topics to learning helps students develop soft skills and an understanding of different pathways. For primary schools, PSHE Education is a great place to start.
5. The power of engagement and networks – Success relies on buy-in from senior leadership, teachers, parents, and the wider community. Training and resources for teachers, alumni involvement, and community networks ensure a lasting impact on career readiness.