Teachers to do ‘work experience’ to help pupils with career advice
Teachers are to undertake work experience to help their pupils with career advice.
Over the next year, more than 1,000 teachers will be stepping out of the classroom and into the boardroom as part of a government-funded scheme, Teacher Encounters.
The programme includes work with over 200 companies nationwide such as Rolls-Royce, the film special effects company Framestore, Pinewood Studios and Siemens.
Out of around 300 teachers who previously took part in the programme, which involves brief visits to companies, 93 per cent said that they welcomed the experience of industry and wanted more, while 78 per cent said it had improved the teaching of their subject.
The scheme allows teachers to see how businesses work first-hand, as well as learning more about career paths for their pupils such as apprenticeships.
‘Teachers amending their curriculum’
A study from the University of Derby also found that 91 per cent reported that they felt more confident speaking about careers with their pupils.
Jo Higgins, chief executive of the Dudley Academies Trust, who took part in the scheme with manufacturing company Thomas Dudley, said: “Because of the programme, we see our teachers in the classrooms amending their curriculum, witness their commitment and passion for what they’re teaching and the young people being really interested, because it’s so relevant to careers and the workplace.”
Oli de Botton, chief executive of the Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “This new study provides powerful evidence of the benefits of bridging the worlds of business and education and giving teachers meaningful encounters with employers.
“Done well, these encounters inspire teachers, students and employers. Teachers can see first-hand how local businesses work, including the routes in, like apprenticeships. Students can benefit when teachers bring this insight into their lessons, linking learning to workplace knowledge. And employers can learn more about the workforce of the future.
“This programme brings careers education further into the mainstream of school and college life. It builds on the enthusiasm we know there is from business to better support schools and from teachers to help students take their best next step.”
