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Employability and careers
At HLC Primary School and Nursery
We are dedicated to preparing our pupils for the next stage in their education and future careers
At HLC Primary School, we are committed to preparing our pupils not only for the next stage of their education, but for the wider world that awaits them. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to belong, feel valued and thrive as they begin to explore their interests, talents and aspirations for the future.
From the early years through to the end of primary school, our personal development curriculum is carefully designed to inspire curiosity, confidence and ambition. We provide a supportive and inclusive environment where children are encouraged to enjoy learning, develop resilience and recognise their own strengths, helping them to build a positive sense of who they are and what they might become.
Our curriculum goes beyond academic learning. Through high-quality PSHE, pupils learn to respect themselves and others, understand the diverse society in which they live and begin to see their role as future global citizens. This learning supports children to make informed choices, develop strong relationships and build the life skills needed for future success.
To bring careers and employability learning to life, we host an annual careers fair supported by local and national businesses from a wide range of sectors. These experiences broaden pupils’ horizons, encourage curiosity about the world of work and help children to see how their learning in school can help them to succeed in the future.
By embedding careers and employability throughout school life, we ensure that all children — regardless of background or starting point — are supported to develop aspirations, confidence and a belief in themselves, so they leave HLC Primary School ready to enjoy, engage with and contribute positively to the world ahead.
Key elements of our employability and careers strategy include:
Personal Development
At HLC Primary School, personal development sits at the heart of our approach to careers and employability. Our bespoke personal development curriculum supports pupils’ academic, social and emotional growth, helping every child to feel safe, confident and ready to engage with the wider world. This includes a carefully planned safety curriculum, ensuring pupils are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate life both in and beyond school.
Careers through PSHE
Careers education is interwoven throughout our PSHE curriculum from the earliest years to Year 6. Through age-appropriate learning, pupils explore aspirations, learn about different jobs and roles within society, and begin to understand how their interests, skills and attitudes link to future opportunities. This approach supports pupils in developing self-awareness, ambition and a positive attitude towards learning and work.
Skills for the Future
Our curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to develop essential skills for the future, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and digital literacy. These transferable skills support pupils in becoming adaptable, resilient learners who are prepared for the next stage of their education and, in time, the modern workplace.
Resilience and Wellbeing
We actively support pupils’ resilience and wellbeing through a range of whole-school initiatives. Our Wellbeing Warriors play a leading role in promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing across the school, encouraging positive habits that support mental health and emotional resilience. This work is further strengthened through support from the Mental Health Support Team (MHST), ensuring pupils are equipped with strategies to manage emotions, cope with challenges and maintain positive wellbeing — key foundations for future learning and success.
Pupil Leadership and Responsibility
Pupils at HLC Primary School are given meaningful opportunities to develop leadership, responsibility and a sense of contribution through a range of pupil groups. These include Student Parliament, Year 6 Monitors and the Safe Squad, all of which pupils apply for. These roles help children to develop confidence, teamwork, communication skills and an understanding of responsibility, preparing them for future leadership and participation in society.
Inspiring Curiosity and Aspiration
We provide a wide range of enriching experiences designed to broaden pupils’ horizons and inspire curiosity about the world around them. These include educational visits, visitors to school, project-based learning and our annual careers fair. The careers fair is supported by local and national businesses from a range of sectors, giving pupils valuable opportunities to meet professionals, ask questions and explore the diversity of future pathways available to them.
Strong Home–School Links
We recognise the vital role that families play in supporting children’s aspirations. By working closely with parents and carers, we foster strong home–school partnerships that encourage pupils to talk about their learning, interests and future hopes both in school and at home.
Personalised and Inclusive Support
Our staff are committed to knowing every pupil as an individual. Through targeted and personalised support, we ensure that all children — including those with SEND and other vulnerabilities — can access careers and employability learning and are supported to achieve their full potential.
Celebrating Achievement
We actively recognise and celebrate pupils’ achievements across all areas of school life. By valuing effort, progress and success, we build confidence, motivation and a belief in each child’s ability to succeed.
At HLC Primary School, we believe that the foundations for future success are built in primary education. Our comprehensive and inclusive approach to careers and employability ensures that pupils leave us with high aspirations, a strong sense of self and the skills needed to move confidently into the next stage of their education and beyond.
