Free, fun, and inspiring activities to motivate children and bring learning to life by connecting schools with workplace volunteers.

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Primary Futures Recognition Scheme

New for 2025, the Primary Futures Recognition Scheme is a national badge of recognition for primary schools who spark curiosity and excitement about jobs children could do in the future.

It celebrates schools that put real energy into bringing the world of work to life for pupils, so they can see new possibilities and imagine bright futures.

Primary Futures Recognition Scheme logo

Why the scheme exists

Children start forming ideas about their futures in primary school – often shaped by the people and opportunities they see around them. For some, this can mean their ambitions are limited before they’ve even had a chance to explore.

Primary aged girl chattging and laughing with a female RAF pilot in her uniform in her school classroom.

The Primary Futures Recognition Scheme celebrates schools that change this story.

Those that give children opportunities to explore a wide range of jobs, meet inspiring role models and take part in activities that help them dream big and aim high.

Jump to the introduction webinar on 15 October to find out more.

Why be part of it?

  • Inspire pupils – help children meet diverse role models and imagine exciting futures.
  • Be recognised – earn Bronze, Silver or Gold awards that highlight your school’s commitment to inspiring pupils.
  • Easy to take part – log activities in minutes with our straightforward online process.
  • Build lasting impact – the two-year cycle gives space to plan meaningful activities while keeping career learning on the school’s agenda.
  • Community engagement – showcase your success with parents, governors and the wider community.
  • Encourage and involve staff – build momentum together as you work towards your award.

How it works

  1. Join the scheme
  2. Run activities that open pupils’ eyes to the world of work – from fun themed days and creative classroom resources to meeting volunteers in person or virtually!
  3. Share what you’ve done – upload photos, short descriptions, or pupil reflections to our simple online form.
  4. Earn points for each activity:
    • 1 point – short, simple activities (eg. themed days, watch career videos, printable worksheets)
    • 2 points – more in-depth engagement (eg. staff CPD, newsletter features, multiple volunteer sessions)
    • 3 points – whole-school activities or embedded projects with measurable impact
  5. Achieve your award:
    • Bronze = 1 point
    • Silver = 4 points
    • Gold = 6 points
Girl reading Primary Futures card

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6. Celebrate your success!
Receive a certificate to display in school and a digital badge of recognition of status to proudly share your achievement.

Start your journey today and be recognised for the amazing work you do inspiring the next generation.

How to join the Recognition Scheme

  1. Register your school with Primary Futures (if you haven’t already)
  2. When you log in to Primary Futures, click the Recognition Scheme button on your homepage to join
  3. Plan and deliver activities that inspire pupils about jobs they could do and futures they could have
primary girl stethoscope laughng

💻 Introduction webinar 15 October 2025

Join us for this short, practical session to discover how the Recognition Scheme works and the benefits for your school.

We’ll show you how simple it is to log activities and outline the steps towards achieving Bronze, Silver or Gold status. There’ll be time for Q&As too.

📅 Wednesday 15 October
🕒 3:45pm – 20 minutes
📍 Online

Register to attend the introduction webinar here.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of evidence do I submit?

You can submit photos of your activities in action or provide a short written summary describing the career-related learning opportunities your pupils have experienced. More information is provided when you join the scheme.

How old can the evidence be?

You can submit evidence for activities that have taken place in the current or previous academic year – eg. a teacher who applies for an award in January 2026 can submit any activities as far back as September 2024.

What is an employer encounter?

An employer encounter is when children meet and learn from someone who shares insights about their role. This can be either in person or online.

What is the criteria for an award?

Activities that your pupils participate in are awarded points based on the effort and impact of the activity (either 1, 2 or 3 points).
The total points for all your activities then determines your award:
Bronze = 1 point
Silver = 4 points (must include at least one employer encounter)
Gold = 6 points (must include at least one employer encounter)

What happens to any photos I submit?

Photos are stored internally only.

For a full list of FAQs, see our Frequently Asked Questions Sheet here.

About Primary Futures

We connect schools with people from a huge variety of jobs and life experiences – from scientists to shopkeepers, apprentices to artists. These volunteers, alongside our resources and activities, help pupils see that their future is full of exciting possibilities and that there’s no limit to what they can aspire to.

Watch our 1-minute video to see the impact.

Here to help