E-ACT Blackley Academy Pupils Reach for the Stars on Dream Big Day!

On 28th June, E-ACT Blackley Academy hosted Dream Big Day, a new nationwide event set to become the most exciting day in the primary school calendar. The day inspires young learners to explore future careers and gain valuable insights into the world of work through interactive workshops and activities.

At E-ACT Blackley Academy, students took part in a Mission to Mars, with every child in the academy enjoying awe-inspiring workshops and activities connected to the mission. The day opened with a personal video message from Professor Brian Cox delivered to all students, before a roster of fascinating science and engineering projects began.

From investigating how to grow food on Mars to robotics and coding workshops, E-ACT Blackley Academy students were encouraged to push the limits of what is possible and think big. Tutors from the University of Sunderland led sessions on coding Mars Rovers, and a spectacular Wonder Dome planetarium wowed pupils in the school hall.

James Hughes, Headteacher at E-ACT Blackley Academy, said: “Our first Dream Big Day proved a huge success. It was an extraordinary experience for our young learners and has fuelled their ambitions and expanded their concepts of what they can achieve and are capable of. We also had lots of fun!

“A key part of the E-ACT philosophy is 63","classid":1073872969,"properties":[201342446,"1",201342447,"5",201342448,"1",201342449,"1",469777841,"aptos",469777842,"",469777843,"aptos",469777844,"aptos",201341986,"1",469769226,"aptos",268442635,"24",469775450,"normaltextrun",201340122,"1",134233614,"true",469778129,"normaltextrun",335572020,"1",469778324,"default="" paragraph="" font"]">our Opening Minds Opening Doors strategy, which is all about having unlimited aspirations for our young people. Dream Big Day feeds into this perfectly and we’re delighted we had the opportunity to play an early role in what is sure to become a key date in the school calendar.” 

Dream Big Day is sponsored by Pearson and Barclays LifeSkills and aims to empower pupils to:

• Explore their interests, discover their passions, and envision a future filled with opportunities

• Break barriers of gender stereotyping in careers

• Promote a diverse and inclusive workforce for the future

• Foster dreaming big & achieving potential

• Instil confidence in every child

Chantel Carpenter, Director of Schools Marketing at Pearson, highlights the importance of the initiative:

“At Pearson, we believe in the transformative power of education in fostering the aspirations of all learners from early years to young adulthood. Our work with Careermap and sponsoring Dream Big Day helps us to take that passion one step further.

This collaboration highlights our commitment to removing barriers in education and providing essential resources and support to schools and their pupils. Through this collective effort, we hope to inspire hope and ambition amongst young learners, encouraging them to dream big from the earliest stages of their education.”

Colin Bell, CEO of Careermap Media Group, emphasises the event's impact on shaping young minds, stating, "Exploring interests, discovering passions, and envisioning a future filled with opportunities are crucial for a child's future because they lay the foundation for personal and professional growth."

Early exploration is so important, "By encouraging children to explore their interests, they can develop a sense of purpose and direction early on, which can guide their educational and career choices in the future."

Moreover, he addresses the issue of stereotyping in careers, asserting, "To break these barriers, we must expose young minds to careers early on to broaden their horizons, encouraging them to strive for their goals and overcome obstacles."

Kate McGoey, Head of Barclays LifeSkills, adds, “Today’s young people need to be able to adapt more than any other generation, which is why at Barclays LifeSkills, we believe it’s never too early to begin discussing skills and careers. We are delighted to support Dream Big Day and its goal to open young people’s minds, break down misconceptions, and raise awareness of careers in primary schools up and down the country."

By providing a platform for career exploration and discovery, Dream Big Day seeks to inspire curiosity, ignite creativity, and foster a sense of empowerment among young learners.

For more information about Dream Big Day, please visit: https://careermapforprimary.co.uk/