Positive Footprint’s partnership with Ørsted has created fantastic opportunities for children to explore their aspirations and discover careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
It is widely recognised that the UK will have a shortage of technical and engineering skills needed to meet future needs. With this in mind, Ørsted’s East Coast Fund provided support so that 25 primary schools could join the Positive Footprints network and deliver our award-winning programmes.
Managing Director, Lesley Burrows said:
“We were thrilled to receive the funding provided by Ørsted. The support has enabled us to create lightbulb moments for children across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Norfolk. Our future leaders, change-makers and problem-solvers now have stronger foundations that set them up for future success.“
Less than a third of the primary schools involved had delivered some form of careers-related activities before the project. The schools have now delivered 295 hours of careers-related learning in classrooms, which has positively impacted 1,280 pupils.
Pupils at Burlington Primary School said:
“It calms me down because I thought it was going to be stressful. It makes me feel happy and relaxed ready for when I grow up and get a job. I think it’s amazing. There is so much cool stuff in it, I like it.”
The Raising Aspirations Programme invites award-winning authors, space scientists, athletes, climate change professionals and more into classrooms across the UK through live-streamed Career Conversations and in-school career carousel events. These events facilitate unique opportunities for pupils to explore hidden careers and learn about the numerous routes to them by directly asking professionals in the field.
Ms Petch of Martongate Primary provided essential feedback about the value of showcasing unique and wide-ranging careers:
“We have particularly enjoyed the careers conversations where children have been able to dig deep into the experiences of real people. This has opened the children’s eyes to the wide range of opportunities for them as adults as opposed to a footballer or social media influencer!“
Mrs Rice of Scartho Junior Academy added:
“This has been a very positive project and one that has had a significant impact on the way that the children see their future goals. I wish that I had been part of something like this at their age.”
If you’d like to find out more about how our programmes can help shape brighter futures, please contact us: positivefootprints.co.uk/contact-us/