CPD initiative launched across all primary schools as educators note students are less likely to feel constrained by gender stereotypes after a government-supported trial.
CPD initiative launched across all primary schools as educators note students are less likely to feel constrained by gender stereotypes after a government-supported trial.
Every primary teacher will receive complimentary professional development in careers education, following a government-endorsed trial that indicated students with trained educators experienced broader perspectives and felt less inhibited by gender norms.
The evaluation of the Careers and Enterprise Companyâs Start Small, Dream Big program revealed, however, that interest in pursuing a teaching career among students diminished after the program concluded.
Funded by ÂŁ2.6 million from the previous government, the initiative impacted 1,394 primary institutions, whereas the original target was set at 2,200 schools.
The program involved Teach First certifying a lead teacher in each school through CPD aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills for the application of comprehensive career-related learning within the curriculum.
Additionally, schools benefited from partnerships with career hubs to provide pupils with exposure to employers.
Increase in schools adopting career strategies
The evaluation report by ImpactEd, issued today, highlighted that the pilotâs innovative method, merging teacher CPD with active collaboration from career hubs and local businesses, resulted in many successful outcomes.
Researchers conducted surveys of educators in participating schools before and after the program.
Initially, only 15 percent indicated having a formalized, written whole-school careers strategy. By the conclusion of the program, this figure soared to 73 percent.
Furthermore, a 36 percent increase was observed in teachers who felt equipped to personalize careers advice and opportunities according to each student’s needs.
A confidence in discussing a wide array of careers with students surged by 28 percent.
At the program’s end, 48 percent of teachers agreed their schools facilitate pupils in comprehending ongoing changes in career trends, a leap from just 10 percent.
The number of educators affirming that their school enables students to explore diverse career paths during career-related learning climbed from 26 percent to an impressive 78 percent.
Pupils breaking free from stereotypes
A notable 75 percent concurred that over the past year, their pupilsâ feeling of limitation due to stereotypes concerning future careers has diminished.
The CEC indicated that students shifted away from stereotypical ‘dream jobs’ and developed curiosity towards a broader spectrum of professions.
For instance, girls’ ambitions in business and finance surged by 31 percent, along with heightened interest in sectors like digital, law, and construction.
Conversely, the percentage of students aspiring to become teachers declined from 22 percent to 20 percent, with girlsâ interest falling from 34 percent to 31 percent.
The CEC plans to build on these achievements by expanding the CPD provisions offered to pilot schools to all schools via its online platform.
Moreover, a “primary national community of improvement” will be established through its careers hubs network.
âA promising legacy aheadâ
John Yarham, the CEO of the organization, remarked that the pilot has illustrated the potential of schools, employers, and communities uniting to inspire children about their futures at a young age.
âThe potential legacy of this initiative is captivating: educational institutions and employers are dedicated to maintaining this work, and we now have a framework for integrating career-related education into every child’s primary curriculum,â he stated.
Researchers also surveyed parents regarding their children’s attitudes toward careers and employment.
Forty percent noted increased discussions with their children regarding careers since the pilot’s inception.
Among these parents, 41 percent identified their child initiating conversations more frequently, while 14 percent mentioned increased engagement from schools with parents on career issues.
Additionally, the report documented a 54 percent rise in schools’ reported connections with local employers. An impressive 93 percent of the employers surveyed expressed intentions to continue supporting local primary institutions.
