Bolton's schools prepare young people for life after school

From primary school age through to secondary school, Bolton youngsters are inspired to aim high.

A study by recruitment website Reed suggested that secondary school children in the UK did not feel prepared for their future outside of school.

But schools in Bolton ensure their pupils are prepared, with some schools being highlighted for their work in this area by Ofsted.

Research of 2,000 UK parents with children between the ages of 11 and 18, and 1,000 students aged 11 to 18 by Reed found that 36 per cent of them did not feel very prepared for their future.

Despite 36 per cent of parents feeling the onus falls on the school to offer career advice, the majority of teenagers stated they get the best advice from their parents - 41 per cent.

And 58 per cent wanted more career advice from their school.

Cllr Anne Galloway, Bolton Council cabinet member for young people’s services, said: “Surveys detailing the destination of school leavers after they leave compulsory education showed 95.8 per cent of Bolton 2022 leavers entered a place in learning including further education, apprenticeships, or training with a further 1.5 per cent entering employment.”

Pupils at Ladybridge Primary inspired by a wide range of guests at first ever careers fair (Image: Ladybridge Primary School)

Despite hosting children younger than those who were surveyed, Ladybridge Primary School has a careers-focussed provision.

Emma Walsh, personal development lead, at the school, said: “We focus on careers a lot here at Ladybridge.

“We feel it's important to inspire them whilst their young, and also to contextualise subjects - for example, it's important how angles are will help them in maths. How and why topics are relevant.

“We have career lessons for all year groups as part of our 'HELP' lessons.

“HELP lessons are all about helping pupils and equipping them with the skills for life.”

The hour-long HELP sessions tend to include discussions and activities about regulating emotions, and other personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) subjects.

This year the school also held its first careers fair and aspirations week, which specifically focussed on careers and jobs.

Cllr Anne Galloway says that all 20 of Bolton’s secondary schools, including special schools and alternative provision, colleges and Connextions Service under council control are part of ‘Bolton Careers Hub’.

“This is a partnership established to best support the development of careers provision within schools,” she added.

Ladybridge Primary children with Mark Flannery of GMP during the school's aspirations week (Image: Ladybridge Primary School)

“It links into the Greater Manchester Careers Hub and Community of Practice which offer additional support to schools and colleges by providing every young person with a quality careers education offer. 

“This includes employer encounters in each year, a curriculum which offers strong connections to the world of work, and opportunities to gain an insight into the full range of academic and technical pathways.

“Bolton also has a careers information, advice, and guidance offer through Connexions for young people who have left compulsory education.

A drop-in facility is offered at the Connexions Centre at Base, Marsden Road, Bolton, BL1 2PF, Monday to Friday between 1pm and 4pm.