What is Start Small; Dream Big?

Start Small; Dream Big is part of the government’s drive to ensure all young people are supported to develop the right skills and knowledge to enable them to thrive in their future careers. Research shows that children can fix their aspirations and create future-limiting stereotypes by as young as six years of age. Research has also shown that Career-Related Learning (CRL) can widen aspirations and challenge stereotypes so that children keep an open mind about the world of work as they move through education.

Consequently, the DfE established a pilot to help tackle some of these issues. 

Participation in the programme will help to:

• Increase awareness and aspirations amongst primary aged children of the range of jobs and careers pathways available to them in the future.

• Develop understanding amongst children of the link between what they learn in school, skills and the world of work.

• Increase the efficacy of the curriculum in building pupil’s personal development, as required by Ofsted.

Benefits for your school include:

• The opportunity to be part of an innovative national programme of activity and research, influencing and shaping future policy decisions on primary career-related learning. 

• Career-related learning and skills development will become embedded into curriculum teaching, leading to an enhanced curriculum, impacting on the learning outcomes for all. 

• Increased aspiration and motivation levels for pupils.

Benefits for your staff include:

• Development of teaching through a programme of structured CPD.

• Support to enhance curriculum delivery and engagement, through the development and implementation of a localised, inclusive careers strategy.

• Increased confidence and knowledge of career-related learning, the local labour market and greater understanding of all available pathways open to pupils.