Ductu appointed by Lancashire Careers Hub to support the ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ Primary Project

‘Start Small; Dream Big’ is a career-related learning programme for Primary Schools, delivered by The Careers & Enterprise Company and backed by the Department for Education (DfE).  

The programme is extremely important for the future of careers education. 

Ductu will support this project by arranging for five employers to visit each of the schools involved. These face-to-face sessions will teach children about the world of work, opportunities in different sectors and engage the pupils in fun and informative learning.

What is the ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ project all about?

Research shows that children should start formal careers education by about eight years old, during their time in Primary School.

Children start to form ideas about their future as they start school. However, often as early as the age of six, children can begin to adopt limiting stereotypes based on their gender, ethnicity and social background. By the age of around nine, many will start to abandon their greatest dreams and ambitions.

Starting to work with children at 14 and 15 years old, can sometimes be too late.

Endorsed by the DfE, ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ brings employers into Primary Schools to show younger children the opportunities available to them.

Ductu works with big-brand employers such as Homebase, Hobbycraft and Costco and is able to provide schools with excellent opportunities to connect with a variety of sectors.

How will Primary Schools benefit from this project?

Schools who participate in this programme, will benefit from having career-related learning and skills development more embedded into their teaching, leading to an enhanced curriculum that will impact the learning outcomes for all.  

 Some of the many benefits of the programme also include: 

• Increased awareness and aspirations amongst primary aged children of the range of jobs and career pathways available to them in the future. 
• Removal of barriers and stereotypes which limit children’s thinking about their future careers. 
• Provide children forward-looking, realistic views of the jobs and the way we work. 
• Develop understanding amongst children of the link between what they learn in school, skills and the world of work. 
• Increased parental engagement in supporting children to think broadly about future careers. 

Get involved with Ductu and ‘Start Small; Dream Big’

Get involved as a business

We are actively looking for businesses to join the likes of Hobbycraft, Costco and Homebase to take part in our Primary School visits.

As a big-brand or local business, there are many benefits to getting involved in our programme

  • Support Future Talent
  • Fresh Perspectives
  • Community Engagement
  • Tailored to your needs

What’s more, admin and communication with the school is taken care of by Ductu. Leaving you to plan a fun and interesting visit.

Get involved as
a school

Do you work for a primary school looking to engage your pupils with the world of work? Do you want to show your students that there are many possibilities out there for them?

We can work with you to expose your pupils to potential careers options and the world of work.

  • Tailored meaningful interactions for pupils
  • Opportunities with multiple sectors
  • Collaboration with national, big-brand employers
  • Assistance with achieving Gatsby Benchmark 3 and 6

What’s more, we manage communication and admin, meaning little preparation needed from you.

Interested in running your own regional or local work visits programme?

Interested in getting involved in this project?

Or perhaps you’re responsible for organising careers visits for students in your area and want Ductu to organise a project for your region.

Talk to our team for more information on how we can help.