At Park Road Academy, our Aspirations and Careers provision is designed to broaden horizons, raise ambitions and ensure that every pupil, regardless of background, can see a wide range of possibilities for their future. Our approach is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced, ensuring that pupils develop a deep and sustained understanding of the world of work over time.

We have adapted the principles of the Gatsby Benchmarks to create a primary-appropriate model that introduces children to careers in a meaningful and age-appropriate way. Rather than treating careers education as a standalone subject, we weave it throughout our curriculum so that pupils make consistent and purposeful links between their learning and future opportunities.

Each unit of work across the curriculum is explicitly linked to a range of careers. These links are introduced in opening lessons, displayed on working walls and included within knowledge organisers, ensuring that pupils regularly revisit and reflect on them. Importantly, we go beyond simply naming careers, we explore the pathways required to achieve them, helping pupils to understand the relevance of their learning and the steps needed for future success. As a result, pupils develop a clear sense of purpose, motivation and aspiration.

To enhance this further, we utilise the Developing Experts programme. This provides high-quality, knowledge-rich resources—particularly within science—that connect learning to real-world applications and careers. Through expert videos, career spotlights and engaging content, pupils gain insight into how subjects such as science, technology and engineering translate into real professions. This supports pupils in developing both subject knowledge and an understanding of how their learning can lead to future opportunities.

Our provision is enriched through a wide range of first-hand experiences. Each year, we host a Careers Convention, where members of the local community are invited into school to showcase their professions. Pupils have the opportunity to visit different stands, engage in practical activities and ask meaningful questions. These interactions help to break down stereotypes, raise aspirations and build confidence in communicating with adults about future goals.

We also ensure that pupils experience the world of work beyond the classroom. Educational visits to local businesses, such as shops, allow children to see everyday roles in action, while visitors to school, including professionals from the police, fire service, dentistry and other sectors, provide further insight into a diverse range of careers. These experiences are carefully planned to ensure that all pupils, including those who may have limited exposure to different professions, develop a broad and balanced understanding of the world of work.

In our Early Years Foundation Stage, this journey begins with a focus on “people who help us,” embedded within Understanding the World. Children explore familiar roles within their community, laying the foundations for future learning about careers and aspirations.

Our approach ensures that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, have equal access to high-quality careers education. Over time, pupils develop increased confidence, ambition and an informed understanding of the pathways available to them. They are able to articulate their interests, recognise the link between education and future success and demonstrate a readiness to engage with opportunities beyond their immediate environment.

Through this coherent and embedded approach, pupils at Park Road Academy are not only inspired to aim high, but are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and aspiration to achieve their goals.