This exciting five-year partnership with the Westminster Foundation is helping children discover the jobs and roles they could do – not just once, but again and again.
It is enabling primary-aged children from under-served backgrounds to meet and chat with people from a wide range of jobs multiple times each year in school. We know that repeated, meaningful encounters with role models from the world of work can widen their horizons, challenge stereotypes on who can do what jobs, and help children see more possibilities for their future.
Funded by the Westminster Foundation, the programme works with primary schools in parts of Sutherland, Chester, rural Lancashire and Westminster. It focuses on children who may not otherwise have the same opportunities to learn about different jobs, or who may feel that some roles are not ‘for someone like me’.
From pilot to five-year programme
In 2025, with small grant funding from the Westminster Foundation, we ran a pilot with primary schools.
Its success has led to this five-year programme, giving more children repeated opportunities each year to meet people from different jobs and backgrounds.
See the pilot in action at Pimlico Primary School
Why starting early matters
When children get the chance to meet people from different jobs over time, it gives them a really broad sense of the possibilities open to them. Our research also shows that critically, it re-engages them in the core subjects of English, maths and science, and re-motivates them in their schooling – boosting achievement.
Children learn about different roles, the sectors they sit in, and the different paths people take to get into them. Just as importantly, they hear from people they can relate to – helping them build confidence and imagine more options for their own future.
What children can expect
Schools and children involved with the programme will take part in a range of activities across the year, with activities including:
- interactive whole-school assemblies featuring a diverse mix of volunteer role models
- larger showcase events exploring careers of the future in different industries
- classroom-based sessions where pupils can talk with volunteers through discussions, workshops and Q&As in small groups
- themed stereotype-busting events, including activities highlighting women working in sectors where they are under-represented
Support for schools and teachers
To maximise the impact and ensure all the activities achieve the best results for pupils, this programme also provides a variety of support for schools, including:
- staff training to help embed career-related learning across the school
- one-to-one support for lead teachers to shape activities around their school’s priorities
- a resource pack to support career-related learning
- materials to engage parents and carers/guardians
“Primary Futures has created real excitement. In our area, children are not always exposed to careers beyond the social norm – this is a real opportunity to change that.”
Principal Teacher, Part of Pilot Funded by Westminster Foundation 2025
Ways you can get involved
I work in a school
At this stage we’re taking expressions of interest from schools based in one of the Westminster Foundation areas, have a higher than average FSM ratio, and are committed to embedding this into their school.
If this is you, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete the short form below.
I’d like to volunteer
Volunteer as a role model and you’ll play a vital role in helping children discover different jobs, different routes into them and different challenges that can be overcome.
Everyone is welcome – whatever your stage in your career. It’s the variety that makes our volunteers so interesting and valuable.
I’m an employer
If your organisation would like to support this work in one of the Westminster Foundation areas, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Our research shows volunteering brings many benefits to employees, contributes to your CSR – as well as having an extremely positive impact on kids, of course.
About the Westminster Foundation
The Westminster Foundation is an independent, grant-making trust and registered charity. They represent the charitable interests of the Duke of Westminster and Grosvenor businesses.
Like Inspiring the Future, they focus on inspiring children and young people early in life to support the prevention of long-term systemic problems. They support work like ours that helps children and young people build the skills, confidence and readiness they need to thrive.
Find out more about the Westminster Foundation
