Year 6 took a giant step into their futures during our exciting World of Work Week; an inspiring and action-packed journey designed to open minds, raise aspirations and build confidence for what lies ahead beyond primary school.

The week began on Monday with an introduction to the many paths available after school, including university, college, apprenticeships, and employment. The children were fascinated to learn about the variety of choices and how everyone’s journey can look different. That afternoon, they met a brilliant group of mystery visitors, but guessing their jobs wasn’t as easy as they thought! Our guests included someone who works in Formula 1, a Co-op employee, a Funeral Director, a member of the NHS Financial Team, and a Governance Officer. The children were amazed by the range of careers and the surprising stories behind each one.

On Tuesday, our budding entrepreneurs were set an exciting real-world challenge from Circana: to design a brand-new sweet treat to be sold in Co-op stores. Working in teams, the children developed imaginative products, eye-catching branding and persuasive pitches. That afternoon, they presented their ideas to a panel of “Dragons”, including two Circana volunteers and Lee Mullen, Co-op Academies’ Primary Curriculum Director. The judges were blown away by the creativity, teamwork and professionalism shown in every pitch.

Wednesday brought a taste of the corporate world as Year 6 visited PwC’s Leeds office. The children were welcomed into the impressive city-centre building, where they spent the day learning about how PwC operates, the many roles within the company, and what it’s like to work in a professional environment. Exploring the stunning offices left many feeling inspired, and maybe even picturing themselves there in the future!

On Thursday, it was time to apply for real jobs within school. Year 6 took on the roles of Teaching Assistants and Senior Leadership Team members, completing job applications and sitting down for interviews with our staff panels. The children showed maturity, ambition and reflection, gaining a taste of what recruitment is really like.

To end the week, Friday was all about celebration and reflection. The children created presentations to share their highlights and learning from the week, spoke about their future aspirations, and proudly presented to their families in a special celebration assembly.

World of Work Week has been a truly memorable and life-changing experience for our Year 6 pupils, helping them to dream big, work hard and understand more about the world around them.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers, the team at Circana, and PwC Leeds for giving our children such a powerful and unforgettable insight into the world of work!