Peterborough pupils share their dreams and aspirations

Castor Primary School Dreams and Aspirations Day. Detective Sergeant Sarah Copeland with some of the pupils EMN-200402-163008009

Parents were invited in to lead short presentations or workshops that demonstrated and explained a little about their profession to the youngsters.

It wasn’t about a child  committing to becoming a police officer or doctor at the age of six, but more about sparking a little bit of interest in a child that gives them something to aspire to when they are older – something that allows them to finish the sentence “When I grow up I’d love to be…” .

Eleven parents from a complete range of professions – a freshwater ecologist, police officer, GP, nursing, marketing, fundraising, a painter / decorator, a builder, an engineer, a health visitor and a member of the RAF visited, and children were split into groups and rotated around each profession throughout the afternoon.

Castor Primary School Dreams and Aspirations Day. Nurse Esther Readshaw with some of the pupils EMN-200402-162957009

The task for the parents was to excite the children as much as possible about their given profession in 10 minutes!

Headteacher Nick Brompton said: “The afternoon was a huge success. We had such a complete range of trades and professions, and the children were really interested in hearing all about the different professions that the parents do.

“We think this will really enthuse and motivate the children to work hard throughout their school life to be what they want to be.

“We want our children to ‘dream big’, and to have no ceiling on this. We want the children to genuinely believe that they can be whatever they want to be, and afternoons like this will certainly help with this.”

Castor Primary School Dreams and Aspirations Day. Olympia Builder Kerry Goymour with some of the pupils EMN-200402-163019009

One of those who took part was parent Sarah Copeland, a police officer.

She said: “What a wonderful idea this afternoon was. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the children and explaining about my role in the police.

“I thought the day also sent a deeper message about breaking some of the typical gender stereotypes around careers (a female builder for example).

“Also as a working parent it is a great opportunity to come into the school, and for our children to feel proud of us and the roles we perform that often mean we miss out on assemblies and having  a presence within the school.

“Myself and my handcuffs now need a rest!”