Primary
Children have many choices to make as they grow up and prepare for education and work in a rapidly changing world. A child’s education really gets going when they go to primary school, which marks the beginning of compulsory education and the introduction to the National Curriculum.
Children learn to develop their literacy and numeracy skills but don’t always fully appreciate quite why they’re doing it. Also children career aspirations are too often based on gender stereotypes, socio –economic backgrounds and influenced by TV and films. One of the many challenges the teaching profession faces is the criticism from business leaders that young people are leaving school without the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. High unemployment, especially among young people, makes it even more important for us to help them plan for a bright future by gaining the right skills and qualifications.
It's never too early to start thinking about the type of career or job you would like to do when you leave school. A future career seems a long way off for most primary age children. Making a connection between what they learn in primary school and the jobs they might one day pursue is not easy, however children are capable of more than most adults imagine.
Our vision is a place where every child and young person has a chance to succeed and where “nobody gets left behind.” We believe that if children relate skills, values and school subjects to careers at an early age they will become more engaged with school and will get excited about their education.
Career Education recognises the journeys that children and young people make as they progress in their education years with the role of key influences in these journeys. Young children gain many benefits from careers education that introduces them to the world of work and helps them see the relevance of their studies. Primary school children are open to learning and careers education can strengthen abilities in transition, sociability, presentation, communication and motivation.
Careers Hub Luton aim is to empower primary schools to enrich children’s learning through career related learning and give them the best tools to transition to secondary schools and achieve their goals
Knex Challenge
Working in collaboration with Setpoint we have been able to offer a series of workshops for Luton primary schools that provided the children with an introduction to the exciting world of engineering and technology in a fun and educational way. The challenge was a classroom based activity with an opportunity to engage with a STEM ambassador from the world of work.
The challenge encouraged and developed the following key skills:
teamwork
communication
problem solving skills
imagination
early project management skills
The pupils start the challenge by drawing their ideas first and then building their solution, adapting their initial designs as they learn what works and what doesn’t!
We had 14 primary schools in Luton taking part with 1137 children participating in the activity.
See below some testimonials.
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A lot of enthusiasm and interest shown by all pupils involved. They were a real credit to the school with the imagination and thought that went with their creation…I was really impressed considering that for many this was the first time they had come across the Knex equipment and that they were not daunted by the challenge
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“The children really enjoyed the challenge.”
“The children loved it and behaved very well.”
“Was a great afternoon... Staff and students alike thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.”
Filip Gruska from Surrey Street Primary School, overall winner across Luton received a framed certificate and a wireless speaker as a prize.
The Big Bang Fair
Exclusively for Luton Primary Schools aimed at Year 5 and 6 children to take part in a fun and educational day of STEM activities. Working in partnership with Setpoint and University of Bedfordshire, 415 children participated in a series of hands on activities from local STEM employers and classroom experiences that engaged, inspired and amazed the children
Feedback
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“I didn't know we could do this!”
“I enjoyed wiring the plug.”
“Loved all of it! I can’t believe I’m made from stardust!”
“I can see myself going to university, I didn’t know what a university was like on the inside, I do like it here!”
“Can we do even more STEM at school now? “
“It was awesome.”
“I am going to be a scientist”
“The microscopes were sick!”
“I had a fantastic time in the laboratory and enjoyed using the equipment like the microscope. I saw my own cheek cells and can't wait to show everyone else the strawberry DNA.”
“The astronomy show was amazing and I loved the experiments. I could not believe how the marshmallow got bigger in the vacuum.”
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“It was a breath of fresh air having a career event for the end of KS2. It helps us push the need for developing their skills for future employment. It also opened their eyes to careers that that they didn't know about.”
“This event was fantastic and really should be repeated. the university mentioned their new STEM building. I hope they allow schools to visit as hooking children at this age will encourage them to study the sciences at a later stage. This would have been even better had it been a full day. My class were gutted that they did not take part in the escape room and I am sure they would have loved longer in the market place. I really hope you invite us to more events.”
“We all had an amazing afternoon please invite us next year. "