Careers Week 2026

The annual KS2 Careers Week took place just before the February half term and, as always, it was a highlight of the school calendar. During the week, St Stephen’s pupils stepped away from their usual timetable each afternoon to hear from a range of professionals and visit local workplaces. In an ever-evolving world of work, we feel it is vital to introduce children to a variety of career pathways from an early age, helping to spark ideas and inspire future ambitions. The purpose of the week is to plant seeds about what pupils might aspire to do when they leave school. Our visitors described what their jobs entail, their journey to their chosen career paths and what is needed to succeed in their roles. 

On Monday, pupils heard from three different visitors, including a psychotherapist who talked about supporting people with their worries. A representative from Siemens spoke about careers in offshore wind farms. The children discovered the tools and equipment required to access work offshore and even had the opportunity to see them in action using a VR headset. In addition, we welcomed a Lego artist, who brought along some impressive local models he had created over the years. The St James’ Park Lego set was certainly a favourite! 

On Tuesday, we welcomed more visitors, including a trainee solicitor, a chef, a doctor and a representative who introduced pupils to careers in facilities management. Across all of these roles, a common theme was the importance of problem-solving. Whether navigating different areas of law, maintaining and improving buildings, ensuring a smooth and successful dinner service, or diagnosing and treating patients, each role highlighted the need to think critically, respond to challenges and find effective solutions. 

We had also arranged a visit to the Virgin Money offices on Tuesday. When we were unable to attend, the team kindly offered to deliver the session in school instead. In an engaging presentation, pupils learned about the different careers within the organisation and the routes into those roles. We are very grateful to the Virgin Money colleagues who came along in person or joined via Teams to share their experiences. 

Wednesday was another insightful day. Visitors from Greggs Head Office — including a former St Stephen’s pupil — led an interactive session. The children began by developing their own Greggs product ideas, such as bubble tea or popping candy doughnuts. From there, they explored the wide range of roles involved in bringing a product from concept to store shelves. They learned about teams who analyse customer trends, chefs who create recipes, taste testers, digital and print marketing teams, finance staff, trainers, shop assistants and many more. Pupils also met a director of a law firm, who spoke about the pros and cons of being their own boss. In addition, there was a fascinating session on careers in science and microscopy, where pupils saw specialist equipment in action. 

Our final day of Careers Week on Thursday was packed with visitors, as well as a trip to the Dog and Cat Shelter. The school librarian shared insights into working in libraries, highlighting that they offer far more than just books — including workshops for all ages and support for adults. We also learned about the many careers at Newcastle United, including the education team that ensures young players continue their studies alongside training. In another sporting role, Stephen from Brinkburn Gymnasium spoke about his journey to becoming a personal trainer, from enjoying PE lessons at school to studying at college and eventually opening his own gym. Northumbria Police were also on the timetable and showed pupils some of the equipment they use to stay safe, as well as discussing the challenging situations they may face daily. 

A clear message echoed throughout every session this week: success does not simply arrive at your door. Achieving your ambitions takes commitment, resilience and a genuine passion for what you do. The encouraging message for our pupils is that these qualities can be developed every day — in lessons, through teamwork and in the extra-curricular opportunities school provides. Deciding on a future career can feel overwhelming, but Careers Week has shown just how wide and exciting the world of work truly is. With technology and artificial intelligence continuing to shape new industries, some of our pupils may one day step into roles that do not even exist yet. We hope this week has inspired our KS2 children, helping them see the value in their learning today and opening their minds to the many possibilities that lie ahead.