EMBARGOED TO
00:01 24 JUNE 2021
NAHT is supporting the launch today (24 June) of the
National Endorsement of Primary School Careers Education Awards –
bringing the highest quality careers education and advice to
support children’s aspirations.
As a founding member of the Quality in Careers Consortium,
NAHT is supporting the new National Endorsement to recognise the
importance of careers education in primary schools.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the professional
association and union representing school leaders, NAHT, said:
“In times of uncertainty and change, the need to inspire our next
generation is more important than ever. The earlier young
people’s aspirations are raised and broadened, the better. Good
careers education, advice and guidance should create ‘lightbulb
moments’ for young people, making the connection between their
studies and the opportunities that await them beyond the school
gates.
“Whilst secondary school has traditionally been the phase
for careers education to take place, the evidence shows that
career aspirations vary very little between the ages of seven and
17, which suggests starting earlier is essential.
“That’s why NAHT has put so much effort into the Primary
Futures programme, which brings volunteers from the world of work
into schools, and why – as members of the Quality in Careers
Consortium – we fully support the national Quality in Careers
Standard, which impacts positively upon students’ career-related
learning in secondary schools, special schools and middle
schools.
“High quality careers education, advice and guidance is
essential for all pupils in all schools, and we are very pleased
to be working within the Consortium on the potential impact it
can have in the primary school sector too.”
Paul Chubb MBE, National Director for the Quality in
Careers Consortium said: “With an ever-increasing focus on
careers and the importance of starting early, it’s likely that
more focus will be placed on developing careers education in the
primary curriculum.
“Through the process of National Endorsement, the
Consortium is seeking to ensure that a structure for improving
quality, based upon existing good practice, is in place from the
outset. This may in due course lead to the creation of a
fully-fledged national standard (perhaps to be known as the
‘Quality in Careers Standard for Primary Schools’) as practice
develops. The Consortium and the Department for Education will
keep this under review.
“National Endorsement of an existing primary school careers
education award, by the Quality in Careers Consortium, will
promote consistency between awarding bodies in the quality
criteria they use, and we will provide objective confirmation
that their approach fulfils the aims of careers education.
“National Endorsement also supports the Consortium’s
priorities, including strengthening the connections between
careers education and the whole curriculum; promoting continued
innovation and creativity in approaches to pupils’ careers
education and support; encouraging primary schools with the
highest quality of careers education to be influencers; and
improving public understanding of the benefits of beginning
careers education in the primary school years.”
The following six awarding bodies offer a primary school
careers education award, and have confirmed they want to seek
national endorsement: CSW Group, C + K Careers, Complete Careers,
Hull & East Yorkshire LEP, Ixion, and Positive Steps. All six
are also awarding bodies for the national Quality in Careers
Standard for secondary schools and colleges.
- The Quality in Careers Standard is the national quality award
for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG)
in secondary schools, colleges and work-based learning. It is
accessible in England, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the
Channel Islands and is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks
for “Good Career Guidance”. It fully complies with the Department
for Education’s statutory guidance.
-
https://www.qualityincareers.org.uk
