News

21 June 2021

To infinity and beyond: volunteers enliven children’s topic learning of space, STEM and showtime through themed activities

21 June 2021

It’s been a lively start to the summer term for Primary Futures schools! Teachers have invited our volunteers to take part in motivating activities to enrich children’s learning, substitute for missed summer trips, and support Year 6-7 transitions. Virtual volunteers have presented greater opportunities to link with topic learning, from Space to the Wild West. […]

30 April 2021

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you are” – an incredible life story, and inspiring advice from recent virtual activities

30 April 2021

Over the past weeks, Primary Futures schools have put on some fantastic virtual activities for their children, hearing from volunteers working in the arts, business, and even learning about the incredible work of Dame Mary Richardson in a special talk about her life. Read on to find inspiration and top tips for your own virtual […]

30 April 2021

Ready, Set, Motivate! Activity examples to inspire your careers planning, plus new opportunities & resources

30 April 2021

From virtual careers talks and Q&A panels to post-18 aspiration days and mock interviews, Inspiring the Future schools have put on a range of impactful virtual activities to help motivate their students over the past weeks. Read on to gain inspiration for your own event, learn about opportunities for your school and access our recent webinar on virtual experiences of the workplace. There have been some fantastic recent events with volunteers […]

24 March 2021

Starting Early: New research shows that career-related learning for primary-aged children works…and more is needed

24 March 2021

“One thing I learned from volunteers talking about their jobs is…that you can complete your dreams but you need to work hard to get there.” – Pupil taking part in Primary Futures activity Primary children, who are among those who have missed the biggest proportion of their schooling during the pandemic, can be motivated and […]

12 March 2021

National Careers Week 2021: “I feel more confident in the choices I am making.”

12 March 2021

National Careers Week saw exciting careers activities running with schools and colleges across the UK. Activities of course looked different this year, hosted virtually instead of face-to-face with young people tuning in from their school classrooms and from their devices at home. We know the strong impact virtual sessions can have, and National Careers Week […]

12 March 2021

National Careers Week 2021: “I learnt that any gender and any race can do any job.”

12 March 2021

National Careers Week saw exciting activities running with schools across the UK to help children broaden their horizons and raise aspirations for their futures. Activities of course looked different this year, running virtually instead of face-to-face with children tuning in from their school classrooms and from their devices at home. We know the strong impact […]

9 February 2021

Virtual sessions in 2021: How schools are adapting to home-learning

9 February 2021

Want to find out what Primary Futures schools have been planning so far in 2021? Have a read about these two activities that enabled children to learn about the world of work from a range of role models. School staff, children, and even parents have told us how valuable these activities are – find out […]

4 February 2021

Virtual sessions in 2021: How schools are adapting to home-learning

4 February 2021

In the first month of 2021, and despite the huge challenges faced by schools and teachers, we’ve seen really exciting activities taking place across the country. School staff, young people, and even parents have told us how valuable these activities are – have a read of what’s been going on in the Inspiring the Future community so far this year and find out how we […]

14 December 2020

Gillian Keegan MP, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, takes part in a Primary Futures virtual event, chatting to children about her career and answering their questions

14 December 2020

On Wednesday 9th December, children at Ossett South Parade Primary School in Wakefield got to meet four exciting volunteers from the world of work – a Minister and MP, an engineer and a graphic designer! The Year 4 and 5 children were in different classrooms but were able to simultaneously interact with the volunteers from across the UK via the interactive virtual Classroom Chat. After a welcome from Deputy Head Emma Fieldhouse, […]

11 December 2020

Report cover: The Value of Volunteering: Volunteering in Education and Productivity at Work. Rainbow filter over a grid image of volunteers.

80% of volunteers in education gain valuable skills, 79% feel more motivated at work

11 December 2020

We have published a report entitled ‘The Value of Volunteering – volunteering in education and productivity in work’. The report was launched at a webinar on the 8th January. Read the full report. Education Volunteering – ‘one of the best investments employers can make’ The new research, in collaboration with CIPD, reveals the positive value […]