Careers at Our School: Inspiring Futures

At our school, we believe every child deserves the space to dream big. Through a rich programme of career and work-related learning, we help pupils broaden their horizons, develop essential life skills, and build the confidence to turn aspirations into reality.

We proudly use the Skills Builder Framework to support the development of key employability skills—boosting academic success and preparing children for the future world of work. 

Leading the Way in Primary Careers Education

In 2019, we were selected as one of just 70 primary schools nationwide to pilot the Gatsby Career Guidance Benchmarks in a primary setting. Since then, we’ve continued to lead the way—working closely with the North East Combined Authority, auditing our careers provision annually, and embedding outstanding personal development across our curriculum. We are committed to improving outcomes for all pupils and increasing their social and cultural capital.

The Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance

We follow the eight benchmarks to ensure our careers programme is robust, inclusive, and inspiring:

What Our Pupils Experience

We provide children with meaningful experiences, visits, and workshops to explore the world of work and challenge stereotypes. Careers learning is woven throughout the curriculum, with links to real jobs, sectors, and pathways.

Children access up-to-date labour market information and receive independent, impartial advice to help them make informed decisions about their futures.

By the time they leave our school, pupils will have explored over 65 different careers through research, projects, and interactions with inspiring professionals.

In Year 3, children are introduced to the concept of university and higher education, sparking early aspirations. By Year 6, they deepen this understanding with a visit to Northumbria University, where they explore campus life and discover the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

​In Year 5, pupils take an exciting trip to Nissan, one of the region’s leading car manufacturing plants, where they explore cutting-edge technology, meet industry professionals, and see real-world engineering in action.

In Year 4, pupils begin exploring alternative career pathways such as apprenticeships through a hands-on visit to the TDR Apprenticeship Training Centre. This experience helps them understand how practical skills can lead to rewarding careers. They also delve into the world of agriculture, learning about the vital roles within farming and food production that support our communities and environment.

 

Pupils with a passion for the arts have the opportunity to pursue the nationally recognised Arts Award Qualification, allowing them to develop creative skills, showcase their talents, and gain a deeper understanding of careers in the cultural and creative industries. 

Each year, we proudly celebrate National Careers Week with a vibrant programme of themed activities, inspiring guest speakers, and hands-on learning experiences that introduce children to a wide range of career sectors and the local labour market.

Careers Curriculum Overview

Class Careers & Leadership Roles

Pupils can apply for a range of class-based careers that develop leadership, teamwork, and specialist skills:

• Student Council members represent their peers, share ideas, and help shape school life through leadership and teamwork.

• Librarians manage the class library, organise books, and promote reading to support literacy and responsibility.

• Art Ambassadors lead creative projects and showcase artwork, encouraging expression and interest in the arts.

• Playground Buddies support younger children during playtimes, promoting kindness, inclusion, and positive relationships.

• Eco Warriors champion sustainability by leading recycling, gardening, and environmental awareness activities.

• Science Monitors assist with experiments and equipment, fostering curiosity and practical skills in STEM subjects.

Enterprise

All pupils take part in enterprise projects—designing, making, and marketing products for our school fairs. They learn about costs, profits, and social responsibility, raising money for local charities and developing entrepreneurial thinking. We also run Upstart Enterprise projects and Skills Builder Challenge Days to deepen these experiences.

Clubs & Masterclasses

Our staff and external partners, including NUFC Foundation, deliver exciting clubs and Saturday masterclasses that connect learning to careers. Examples of Clubs:

• Science Club – careers in research and STEM

• Yoga, Football, Basketball, Hockey – sport science and health

• Arts & Crafts – creative industries

• Gardening Club – horticulture and sustainability

• Construction & Coding Club – engineering, IT, and real-world maths

Local Labour Market: What’s Growing in the North East?

We help families stay informed about future job opportunities in our region. Based on government investment and business trends, these sectors are expected to thrive:

            

Sector	Examples of Careers
Travel & Tourism	Hospitality, Events, Tour Management
Energy	Wind Turbine Technician, Sustainability
Manufacturing	Automotive, Robotics, Production
Digital	Coding, Cybersecurity, UX Design
Health & Life Sciences	Nursing, Biomedical Science, Care Work
Construction	Architecture, Surveying, Site Management
Transport & Logistics	Aviation, Rail, Supply Chain Management
Creative Industries	Graphic Design, Media, Performing Arts