Peterborough primary becomes first city school to receive Careers Mark award

To achieve the prestigious award schools have to show commitment to delivering confidence in a career programme with a focus on pupils learning: individual self-determination, personal career development and well-being, equality and diversity, social justice, the health of society and sustainable economic development.

Sonia Kendal, principal, said: “We are incredibly proud of becoming the first primary school in Peterborough to gain the Careers Mark showing our commitment to preparing our pupils for beyond the classroom. This wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and drive from Mrs Tasmia Kamran and the teaching team.

“Equipping our pupils with life skills is key to success, including the use of technology. As a Microsoft Showcase School, alongside the careers and aspirations agenda is giving the pupils who attend our academy high aspirations for jobs that do not exist yet and sets them up with a ‘I can do it’ attitude.”

During National Careers Week the school hosted a number of events for KS1 and KS2 pupils. Parents from different careers were invited in to teach children about their roles.

Careers lead Mrs Kamran said: “It has been a great journey and achievement for us all at Newark Hill Academy. Our pupils were pleasantly surprised that a mature lady was a retired lorry driver, there was an Asian male wedding planner and a female banker.

“It was interesting to hear the responses from some of our pupils: ‘Wow I didn’t know women can drive big lorries!’ In reference to the male wedding planner: ‘I can’t believe that he plans weddings, I thought it was only girls who did that job’.”