In the Early Years Foundation Stage, career-related learning is supported through our PSHE curriculum by developing the key skills children need for the future. Rather than focusing on specific jobs, we prioritise building strong foundations in personal, social and emotional development.

Through units such as My feelings, Taking on Challenges and My family and friends, children learn to:

• communicate effectively and express their ideas
• work and play cooperatively with others
• develop confidence, resilience and independence
• understand relationships and the roles people play in their lives

These skills are taught through play-based and discussion-led activities, helping children to explore the world around them and begin to understand how people contribute to their communities.

This early provision lays the foundations for later careers education by developing essential employability skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving and self-awareness, which are further developed as pupils progress through the school.

In Key Stage 1, career-related learning continues to be supported through our PSHE curriculum, with a focus on helping pupils understand the world around them and their place within it.

Through topics such as Families and relationships, Health and wellbeing and Economic wellbeing, children begin to:

• learn about different jobs in the community and how people contribute to society
• recognise the skills needed for different roles
• understand the importance of teamwork, communication and responsibility
• explore their own strengths, interests and achievements

Pupils also develop an awareness of money and work, including where money comes from and how it is used.

Career-related learning is delivered through discussions, role-play and real-life contexts, enabling children to make meaningful connections between their learning and the wider world. This approach supports pupils in developing key employability skills, which are developed progressively as they move through the school.

In Key Stage 2, the PSHE curriculum plays an important role in supporting career-related learning as part of a wider, whole-school approach. Through the Kapow PSHE curriculum, pupils develop an understanding of the world of work alongside the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for future life.

Career-related learning is particularly developed through the Economic Wellbeing and Citizenship strands, alongside wider learning in Health and Wellbeing. The curriculum is structured to allow pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding of careers, skills and the world of work as they progress through Years 3 to 6.

In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils are introduced to key concepts such as budgeting, spending and how people earn money, alongside exploring different jobs and challenging stereotypes. They also learn about the roles people play within communities and how work contributes to society.

In Upper Key Stage 2, this learning becomes more developed and reflective. Pupils explore career aspirations, workplace stereotypes and the factors that influence career choices, as well as developing an understanding of financial responsibility, including income, expenditure and risk. In Year 6, this is extended further through learning about different career routes, workplaces and the skills needed for the future, alongside preparation for transition to secondary school.

As well as this, pupils continue to develop key employability skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience and decision-making. Through discussion, problem-solving and real-life contexts, they are supported in making meaningful connections between their learning and the wider world.

Career-related learning at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School is embedded across the wider curriculum and enriched through a range of meaningful experiences within and beyond PSHE. Pupils benefit from a rich assembly programme which introduces a wide range of careers, role models and aspirational themes, helping to broaden horizons and challenge stereotypes. Career learning is further strengthened through meaningful links across all subjects, including the use of resources such as Spark Tees Valley, which connect curriculum learning to real-world industries and opportunities.

In addition, pupils engage with the world of work through visits, visitors and partnerships with local employers, businesses and community organisations. Events such as careers fairs, enterprise activities and encounters with professionals enable children to make real-life connections between their learning and future pathways. Families and the wider community also play an important role, with parents and carers contributing to activities and supporting pupils’ understanding of different roles and opportunities. This whole-school approach ensures that all pupils have access to a broad, inclusive and aspirational careers programme that develops their understanding of the wider world.

The school has developed a Primary Careers Strategy Calendar which maps career-related learning opportunities across the academic year. This includes links to significant national and local events, awareness days and themed weeks, ensuring that learning is timely, relevant and meaningful. By drawing on current opportunities and real-world contexts, pupils are able to engage with careers education in a way that reflects the world around them, helping to deepen their understanding and make purposeful connections between their learning and future possibilities.

As part of our commitment to providing high-quality careers-related learning, we are currently working towards the Career Connect Primary School Quality Award. This process is enabling us to evaluate, strengthen and further develop our provision in a structured and meaningful way.

Engaging with the award is having a positive impact on our school by:

• Providing a clear framework for progression, ensuring that careers-related learning is carefully planned and builds consistently from Early Years through to Year 6.
• Aligning our provision more closely with the Gatsby Benchmarks, adapted for primary pupils, so that our approach is both ambitious and coherent.
• Raising aspirations for all pupils, particularly those who may have limited exposure to the wider world of work, by ensuring regular and meaningful encounters with a range of careers and role models.
• Embedding careers across the curriculum, helping pupils to make stronger connections between their learning and future opportunities.
• Strengthening links with families, employers, and the wider community, enriching pupils’ experiences and understanding of different pathways.
• Ensuring inclusivity and equality of opportunity, so that every child can see themselves reflected in future possibilities and feel empowered to succeed.
• Supporting staff development, increasing confidence and consistency in delivering high-quality careers-related learning.

Through this process, we are not only enhancing our provision but also ensuring it reflects our mission, “Learning and Loving on our journey with Jesus.” We are fostering a culture where pupils are encouraged to grow, aspire and care for others as they begin to understand their place in the world.

Ultimately, working towards the Career Connect Primary School Quality Award is helping us to ensure that every child leaves our school with raised aspirations, broadened horizons and the confidence to take the next steps in their journey.