Blackpool pupils plan their future careers

Christ the King Catholic Academy and St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy teamed up to let their year five pupils meet people from a variety of professions in Blackpool to see what it is about their job they love.

Year five children got to meet around 20 people ranging from a doctor and a nurse to police and fire staff, a chef, an actor, sixth form college teachers, representatives from Blackpool Football Club’s Community Trust and the Blackpool Gazette

Groups of pupils were given around five minutes to talk to each professional and even had the chance to dress up and try out some equipment.

Year 5 Teacher from St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy, Tony Mitchell said: “The academy has been really focussed on mental toughness and developing resilience as a whole.

“The Year Five children have been working alongside Calico and Blackpool and Fylde college in a program called ‘Job Junction’, which is instilling self-belief and developing the character, attitude and skills needed to succeed in the real world of work.

“The children got insights into real jobs and career pathways. We wanted the children to come away with increased determination to succeed in whichever job role they have in mind.”

He said the children really enjoyed meeting the working people. He added: “The first groan, when we said we were having a change, told me how much the children were enjoying the event. Ultimately we want to inspire the children into having high aspirational targets for their lives to come.”

Year five pupil Freya Saxon said: “My favourite part was meeting the police people because I got to handcuff my friends and also learn what the police do.”

Dominika Wasik said she enjoyed meeting the nurse: “She had a dummy baby and we learned how to save a baby’s life. It was also good seeing the police.”

Jack Smith said: “I think being a journalist would be really fun, you meet different people and can get to go to different countries.”

Klaudia Kecik said: “I would enjoy meeting people and interviewing them as a journalist and then writing their stories.”

George Power said: “I learned that if you want to be a nurse you have to go to University for three years.”