Primary Explorers

The Widening Access Team delivers the Primary Explorers programme for primary school pupils to introduce students to higher education (HE) from a young age. With evidence showing that one in three applicants begin thinking about HE in primary school (UCAS, 2021), the programme supports aspirations, by helping to provide students with an understanding of what university is and the courses and careers university can lead to.

The Primary Explorers programme is split into two key stands: the Primary Explorers project, a multi-stage intervention targeting inner city Derby schools with high numbers of widening participation students; and the Primary Explorers Days, one day events providing the opportunity for any school to engage in careers activities with the University.

In 2022/23, the project was delivered to Year 6 pupils in Redwood Primary School, Wyndham Primary Academy, Zaytouna Primary School, Chaddesden Park Primary School, and The Bemrose Primary School. Many of these schools are also feeders to the Derby City secondary schools the Widening Access Team targets, thus extending the careers learning across their education journey.

Table 1: Key data on the Primary Explorers programme.

A table showing key statistics from our Primary Project.
690 students engaged in activities. 90% of these students are from the 40% most deprived areas based on IMD data. 19 activities were delivered to students during this project. 13 different schools engaged within this project.
Data	Results
Participants engaged	549 students
From the 40% most deprived areas based on IMD data	97%
Number of activities	18
Number of schools engaged	12

Impact

Pre- and post- project evaluation forms were collected from 382 students and built upon the theory of change which provides a rationale for our activities in improving overall student outcomes. 

The themes of the questions focused on ascertaining the students’ knowledge on HE and understanding their perceptions of HE. Additionally, the project seeks to find a connection between students’ knowledge of HE courses and aspirations to pursue a career linked with HE.  

The table indicates the change in knowledge and perceptions of HE from participants who took part in both strands of the programme.

Perception of higher education

Students who feel they would fit in at university

46% BEFORE Primary Project/Days

61% AFTER Primary Project/Days

Knowledge of higher education

Students who have a good level of knowledge of university

17% BEFORE Primary Project/Days

54% AFTER Primary Project/Days

Attitudes of higher education

Students who expressed an ambition to go to university in the future

61% BEFORE Primary Project/Days

78% AFTER Primary Project/Days

Teacher feedback

A total of 19 school staff evaluation forms were also completed at the end of the activities. Questions on these forms focused on gaining an understanding of the knowledge students acquired during the Primary Explorers activities.

Teacher voice is an important element of our evaluation activities, as such, we asked school staff what information or knowledge they thought their students had gained:   

“Opening up options for children to see what university is like”
"Careers, uni environment, support available for students"
"What university is. They can study for a degree. There are lots of clubs and social opportunities"
"Lots. I've heard many of them saying they want to now go to uni!"
“The process of getting to uni - how and when. The knowledge that they can go in the future if they want”

Student and staff evaluations demonstrate the impact of the Primary Explorers programme to improve the learners understanding of what university is and the pathway to a range of careers through enhancing knowledge on the subjects which can be studied at university. Almost 90% of all students surveyed across both strands, demonstrated an accurate understanding of what a university is, how old you need to be and an awareness of subjects you can study at university following the programme.

This is important as children who learn and understand about university and where it can take them at a young age, can broaden their horizons and boost attainment (Education and Employers, 2019). This is supported by Hooley, T (2021) as young people develop much of their career identity and aspirations before they arrive at secondary school and so it is important to engage them in thinking and learning as early as possible.

References

Dr Kashefpakdel, E, Rehill, J (Education and Employers) and Dr Hughes, D OBE (DMH Associates) (2019) Career-related learning in primary: The role of primary teachers and schools in preparing children for the future. Available at: https://www.educationandemployers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EdEmp_CareerPrimary-report_Jan2019_v5_INDV.pdf [Accessed 03/11/23]

Hooley, T. (2021). Career education in primary school. myfuture Insights series.
Education Services Australia. Available at: https://cdaa.org.au/CDAAWebsite/Web/Blog/Posts/Career-Education-in-Primary-School.aspx [Accessed 03/11/23]

UCAS (2021) 2020 Entry UCAS Undergraduate Report – Where Next? Online. https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-data-resources-2020/2020-entry-ucas-undergraduate-report-where-next [Accessed 30/01/23]  