Programme for careers provision in primary schools

The recent schools white paper Opportunity for all announced the introduction of a careers programme for primary schools in areas of disadvantage. Evidence suggests that Children begin to understand the world, and their roles within it, from a young age and career-related learning in primary schools can support children to start exploring the world of work and challenge stereotypes. Previous pilot schemes, led by the Department for Education and other organisations, have identified a market for a programme for careers provision in primary schools. By conducting a comprehensive options analysis, it has been concluded that this investment would provide the most realistic opportunity to penetrate the sector. This will be a small-scale investment of £2.6m via a grant arrangement. (Split into £0.6m in 2022-23; £1m in 2023-24; and £1m in 2024-25).

ESTIMATED VALUE: £2,600,000 over 2.5 years.

Programme Aims The Schools White Paper commits that "we will launch a new careers programme for primary schools in areas of disadvantage." The programme should support primary schools to use the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, as a framework to develop an age-appropriate careers programme specifically targeting primary schools in disadvantaged areas.

Outline Requirement - Provide proposals for increasing primary school children's awareness of career/work opportunities with a clear and articulated focus on career exploration rather than specific career paths. - Have existing networks and strong links with the primary education infrastructure and employers (and an ability to scale up existing links if these are not already a presence across the EIAs). - Be able to adapt to the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance for use in primary settings to deliver age-appropriate careers experiences, including CPD for primary staff. - Have an engagement strategy supporting knowledge sessions with local employers which are tailored to inspire the primary school children and are relevant to labour market needs. - Be able to demonstrate continuous innovation to adapt to the needs and requirements of the students to the local environment. - Be able to capitalise on existing links with employers and local expertise already available in, for example, Careers Hubs and the Enterprise Adviser Network. - Provide opportunities to experience a variety of workplaces. Through activities like visits to local employers, virtual experiences and role plays, pupils can learn more about the work environment. - Seek to inspire pupils about the world of work, drawing on positive role models in a range of industries and sectors to help raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes, and help them to link their learning to jobs and careers. - Have a reporting tool able to capture progress and impact, aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Additional information: Market Engagement

We would like to engage with organisations that have delivered similar funded programmes. Additionally, organisations with a similar network of stakeholders within the education sector and related are of interest. DfE invites suggestions and feedback on the proposed content and structure of the programme from the market, including industry experts, specialists, and suppliers.

To participate in market engagement webinar please email: with any suggestions and/or feedback in your email, along with the following details:

1) Organisation name; 2) Contact name; 3) Job title of contact (including responsibility within your organisation); 4) Contact phone number; 5) Contact email; 6) Organisation website link.

DFE are also hosting a Market Engagement webinar event which will take place:

Date: 14th July 2022

Location: Hour online public broadcast.

If you wish to attend the market engagement, please reply via Jaggaer and you will be notified of the date and time for the market engagement webinar.

https://education.app.jaggaer.com for details of how to register and the terms of free registration.