National Careers Weeks 2026
This week the children of Herne View Church of England Primary School have been treated to many dedicated and eloquent guest speakers for National Careers Week. These members of our school and local community shared their time, wisdom and passion for their careers in a bid to inspire our children to begin to think about the many wonderful and varied jobs that contribute to working life in 21st century Britain.
From Piano restoration, to Firefighting, with a stops at a pudding factory, two solicitors, a rocket and satellite manufacturer, plumbers manufacturer and a playground construction firm, not forgetting our chance to quiz a GP and museum worker focussed on the heritage of Somerset, the children were left in doubt that the world is their oyster when it comes to future career opportunities upon finishing their education.
This year children learnt about the process involved to ensure a patient has a safe and successful appendectomy, realising just how many different careers in the world of medicine and healthcare come together to help make us feel better. Ivy in Clarinette class said, “During Careers Week I learnt that there is almost a different type of doctor able to treat every part of our bodies.”
We also raced a firefighter to see who could put their uniform on the quickest because as we know when responding to an emergency every second counts. I am pleased to report that the team of pupils beat the firefighter by three whole seconds! Seren in Stembridge class said, “During Careers Week I learnt about firefighter’s breathing apparatus and I liked it when he put on all his uniform to demonstrate how fast he has to be!”
In the middle of our Careers Week, we were entertained to a performance on the ivories by our guest speaker who espoused the importance of care and restoration of the beautiful instrument that is the piano. Surely there was no finer way of rounding of his talk than a communal sing-a-long to “Sweet Caroline”! Florence in Bartletts class said “During Careers Week I learnt about the different parts of the piano and their function. I liked how our guest speaker used my friends to role play the piano!”
The important thread of sustainability was woven in each talk as the children were very aware that ensuring care and respect (two of our school values) of our environment and wider world can be achieved in part by the jobs that we all do in the future.
The staff and children at Herne View would like to extend their deepest thanks to all who shared their careers in front of an inquisitive audience of sometimes hundreds of children and who knows you may have just inspired a future apprentice or colleague!
Andrew Whitfield, Assistant Headteacher
