A new five-year partnership between Education and Employers and the Westminster Foundation will help primary-aged children in some of the least socio-economically advantaged areas of rural Lancashire, Chester, Westminster and Sutherland meet and hear from people in a wide range of jobs – not just once, but multiple times each year.
Through our Primary Futures scheme, these repeated encounters will help children widen out their horizons, challenge stereotypes on who can do what jobs, and imagine more job options for their future. The programme is designed to reach children who may otherwise have fewer opportunities to learn about the range of jobs and roles open to them.
Read the full news release (PDF)
Download a printable version of this partnership announcement.
At a glance
- £500,000 partnership grant
- Five-year programme
- Multiple activities each year
- Focused on children in less advantaged communities
- Primary schools in Sutherland, Chester, Westminster and rural Lancashire
What this programme will do
Across the school year, primary-aged children will take part in a number of different activities that bring volunteers from a wide range of jobs and backgrounds into school for them to engage with, quiz and learn from.
These encounters are interactive and age-appropriate, and designed to help children:
- discover jobs and roles they may never have come across
- challenge stereotypes about gender, race and class and who can do what jobs
- understand that there are many different routes into work
- feel more motivated to learn in subjects such as English, maths and science
Why this matters
Our research shows that many children form stereotypes about jobs before the age of seven.
For children who do not often meet people from a wide range of professions, ideas about future jobs can be shaped by what they see around them every day, or through TV and social media. That can narrow horizons early.
This programme is designed to change that by bringing volunteers into primary schools again and again over time, helping children see a broader picture of what is possible – and recognise that some of those futures could be for them too.
What children and schools can expect
Schools and pupils involved in the programme will take part in a range of activities across the year, including:
- interactive whole-school assemblies featuring a diverse mix of volunteer role models
- larger showcase events exploring jobs of the future in different industries
- classroom-based sessions where pupils can talk with volunteers through discussions, workshops and Q&As in small groups
- themed stereotype-busting events, including activities highlighting women working in sectors where they are under-represented
Schools will also receive support to help make the most of the programme, including:
- materials to engage parents and carers
- staff training to help embed career-related learning across the school
- one-to-one support for lead teachers
- resource packs
Why repeated encounters matter
Past research studies involving more than 60,000 children show that Education and Employers’ activities have a strong impact, especially for children from the most socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Our research has found that:
– 4 in 5 children say they feel more motivated to learn English and maths after taking part
– children from less advantaged backgrounds benefit the most from these activities
This new programme builds on that evidence by giving schools repeated opportunities across the year, rather than one-off experiences.
From pilot to five-year programme
In 2025, with funding from the Westminster Foundation, Education and Employers ran a pilot with primary schools.
Its success has led to this five-year programme, giving more children repeated opportunities each year to meet people from different jobs and backgrounds.
See part of the pilot in action at Pimlico Primary School:
What the Westminster Foundation say
“We are delighted to provide long-term support through this partnership grant. It will help primary-aged children think big about their futures and understand the importance of what they are learning at school. I’ve seen first-hand how Education and Employers’ innovative approach broadens the horizons and raises the aspirations of those from underserved backgrounds. It especially helps them to understand the importance of what they are learning at school. This partnership represents an opportunity to drive positive change and improve the lives of young people.”
Caroline Da Cunha, Cheshire Grants ManagerWhat Education and Employers say
“We are incredibly grateful to the Westminster Foundation for this opportunity, and for the supportive and intelligent way they’ve engaged with us to date as a funder. We clearly hold a strong and shared sense of mission around early intervention and education and career readiness, and the Westminster Foundation’s commitment to supporting children and young people in their geographies is palpably genuine. It’s clear that we both resolutely want every child from a less advantaged background to know what jobs are out there, see people like them being successful, to be able to dream big for their future, and most importantly, to fulfil their individual potential.”
Dominic Judge, Deputy CEO, Education and Employers“We worked with some brilliant schools and volunteers across Westminster, Chester, Lancashire and Sutherland last year in a true community effort to make a difference for young people. Thanks to this partnership funding from the Westminster Foundation, we have a rare opportunity to achieve life-changing impact for the children and young people in those areas over the next five years.”
Lisa Clifford-James, Education and Employers
Find out more
To find out more about the programme – including how schools, employers and volunteers can get involved – visit our special campaign page below.
About the Westminster Foundation
The Westminster Foundation is an independent grant-making trust and registered charity, representing the charitable interests of the Duke of Westminster and Grosvenor businesses.
Its work focuses on early intervention to help children and young people build the skills, confidence and readiness they need to thrive.
Discover more about the Westminster Foundation and their work.