Headteacher
Chris Coyle-Chislett
Email the Office
secretary@penpol.cornwall.sch.uk
Telephone Number
01736 753472
Follow us on Twitter
@PenpolSchool
Our Address
2 St George’s Road, Hayle,
Cornwall, TR27 4AH
Careers Education at Penpol School is led by Tiffany Pope
“Career-related learning in primary schools is about broadening pupils’ horizons, challenging stereotypes and helping them develop the skills and sense of self that will enable them to reach their full potential.”
It is vitally important that children learn about the world that they will encounter outside the school gates and how they can reach their true potential in the future. At Penpol, our careers education is based on encouraging children to be the authors of their own stories. To be aware of their own skills and passions and how they can foster a lifelong positive learning attitude. They need to be aware of the wide range of opportunities open to them by recognise stereotyping and challenging any assumptions so that their horizons are broadened and their aspirations are high.
We use the Career Development Framework to shape the objectives the children learn and also thread through the eight essential skills highlighted by the Skills Builder Hub. This means the content is based on thorough research and also supported by the Cornwall Careers Hub.
Children have the opportunity to meet people in a variety of jobs and careers, ask questions and formulate their own ideas towards path into the future. The essential skills are also valuable in all other areas of learning and encourage children to identify their own strengths and areas for development.
We are also working with our partner primary and secondary school, Bodriggy Academy and Hayle Academy, to ensure that all children in our community have access to quality careers provision. We aim to develop an all through careers curriculum that provides challenge, encourages curiosity and ultimately gives all learners opportunities to connect their learning with their futures.
Penpol is also hosting a joint Careers Fair which is open to parents and children. There will be a broad range of businesses, employers and employees to answer questions and provide first-hand information for the children, therefore raising aspirations for their futures.
At Penpol School, we believe that a careers education is imperative for children’s future successes in our ever -changing world. The Career Development Framework states: career related learning in primary schools is about broadening pupils’ horizons, challenging stereotypes and helping them develop the skills and sense of self that will enable them to reach their full potential. The curriculum provides opportunities for children to reflect about themselves, their interests and construct a positive narrative which boosts confidence. This in turn allows them to see many pathways that might be open to them and how this links to the learning that takes place in school.
Careers is taught explicitly to all pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 in sequences of lessons which focus on key skills, as laid out below. There is a progression of understanding and challenge throughout each year as well across the year groups. There are also visits planned across the year from key people within a variety of jobs and careers. The focus is always on open questioning, listening and positive challenges which allow children to become confident and to gain insight from each experience. There is also a wealth of knowledge and information within other areas of the curriculum. All projects place the link to real life learning at the centre of skills and knowledge covered. They look at stereotypes within job roles as well as advancing technologies and the ever-changing types of employment children could identify with and be inspired by. The Careers Fair is also another opportunity for a wide range of employers and employees to share their passions and answer any questions from children and parents. This is also open to our nearest secondary setting and other primaries in the local area.
Regular evaluations take place across the year to ensure that Careers Education is valuable and having an impact of children’s views and positivity around careers related learning. It is important that we get parents feedback, as well as the children, to ensure any changes can be made or opportunities widened to reflect the children’s needs and passions. Examples of learning outcomes reflect the progress made as well as surveys and questionnaires. Ultimately the conversations with children themselves show how connected they are to career related learning and how it challenges their thinking and inspires them.
Grow throughout life by learning and reflecting on yourself, your background and your strengths. Being the authors of our own stories by constructing a positive narrative. This helps children take initiative, believe in themselves and responsible for their own progress.
Explore the full range of possibilities open to you. Learn about the recruitment processes and the culture of different workplaces. It is important to widen learners’ horizons beyond the jobs their family members do. Children need to challenge stereotyping and assumptions therefore increasing their choices.
By being proactive and building relationships with others is a vital part of career development. Networks of people help to create opportunities and makes things happen. Initiative and enterprise are two important elements of career development and self-awareness.
See how economy, politics and society connect with your own live and career. Navigating information overload, misinformation and conflicting viewpoints present many challenges and children need to be aware how to charter these waters. They need to explore the changing nature of future work and the changes in careers available in society.
Manage your career actively and make the most of opportunities and setbacks. Children experience success and disappointment all of their lives so managing that and moving on are important skills. Specifically teaching them about this will prepare them for the world of employment, job interviews and also working alongside and supporting others.
7th December 2023
