Success for ‘Growing Primary Aspirations’ project 2018

by | Jul 29, 2018 | News

In a project subsidised by a grant from MK Community Foundation, Worktree delivered Primary WorkOut and Primary World of Work sessions in 13 primary schools (a 14th to follow in November 2018).  The aim was to demonstrate to primary schools the value of these activities and encourage them consider paying full cost in future years.

The schools were:

SCHOOL YEAR GROUP Date Time No. Pupils completing questionnaires Before and After
Brooklands Farm Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 5.6.18 9.30am 90
Cedars Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 16.7.18 1.15-2.15pm 41
Christ the Sower Primary Year 5 & 6 (age 9-11) 19.6.18 10.45-12.30 57
Drayton Park Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 14.6.18 9-11am 42
Emerson Valley Primary Year 5 (age 9-10) 28.6.18 11-12.30pm 106
Giffard Park Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 5.7.18 10.45-12.30pm 42
Great Linford Primary Year 5 & 6 (age 9-11) 18.6.18 9.15-11.15am 88
Jubilee Wood Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 19.6.18 1.20-3.20pm 82
Priory Rise Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 8.6.18 1.30-3.20pm 52
Rickley Park Primary Year 5 (age 9-10) 15.5.18 9.00am 55
Southwood Primary Year 6 (age 10-11) 7.6.18 9.00am 49
St Monica’s Primary Year 5 & 6 (age 9-11) 21.6.18 10.45-12.20pm 97

Children

The main difference made by this project was that the pupils felt more aware and confident after the sessions about their future careers and employability skills; also more motivated to work hard in school.  Spoken and written comments showed many had new aspirations and a greatly increased confidence in talking to unfamiliar adults (see chart above).

Volunteer work guests

The secondary benefit was that 41 adults from 28 MK companies got to volunteer in local schools and tell their own stories about work.  33 completed evaluation questionnaires which showed their satisfaction ratings in post-session questionnaires was high.

  • 100% agreed “I enjoyed the session”, of which 94% strongly agreed
  • 100% agreed “The students made me feel welcome”, of which 94% strongly agreed
  • 100% agreed “I felt valued”, of which 88% strongly agreed
  • 97% agreed “I now feel more positive about my work,” of which 72% strongly agreed
  • 100% agreed “I would be happy to do this again”, of which 91% strongly agreed.

School & teachers

The school and its teachers also benefited.  19 teachers observed or participated in the sessions and completed feedback forms showing:

  • 100% agreed “The session helped students make choices about their future work options”, of which 63% strongly agreed
  • 100% agreed “The students became more confident talking to adults they don’t know”, of which 89% strongly agreed
  • 100% agreed “The session helped students to develop their employability skills”, of which 58% strongly agreed
  • 100% strongly agreed “The session was important for students’ preparation for the world of work”, of which 53% strongly agreed.

Building on this success, the goal now is to grow Primary WorkOut to more MK primary schools.

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