A new initiative aimed at widening the horizons of primary aged pupils was launched in Wolverhampton on Friday (17 October, 2014) as guest speakers visited a local school to tell students about their lives.

Primary Futures seeks to help children understand the link between what they learn at school and their futures by bringing in employers and local business people to talk about the world of work.

Hundreds of schools nationwide are taking part, including Oak Meadow Primary School in Wednesfield where Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds, Beano illustrator Laura Howell, demolition expert John Woodward, journalist Peter Madeley and author Paul Dowswell spoke to pupils.

Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "We are really pleased to have been involved in this new scheme. The children were inspired by the speakers and in turn, the professionals enjoyed the engagement of the children and their insightful questions.

"We are keen to recruit more volunteers from many types of professions who are happy to give up their valuable time to share some of their experiences with our young people - and hopefully inspire them about the world of work.

"I would urge interested employers and employees to look at the website, Type=links;Linkid=4620;Title=inspiring the future - Primary Futures;Target=_blank;, or contact Tish Keech via district12@nahtofficials.org.uk for more details."

Primary Futures has been developed by the National Association of Head Teachers, which represents the vast majority of primary school leaders in England, in partnership with the charity the Education and Employers Taskforce.

Through Type=links;Linkid=4620;Title=inspiring the future - Primary Futures;Target=_blank;, primary schools in Wolverhampton can get free access a vast network of volunteers from different backgrounds and professions from apprentices to chief executives and archaeologists to zoologists.

  • released: Monday 20 October, 2014