Chippenham school project just the job (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chippenham school project just the job

10:26am Monday 18th February 2013 in News

A Chippenham primary school showed it is never too early to think of the future when it held a careers week.

Children aged from four to 11 came to Redlands School dressed as the professional they aspire to, after visitors from the community told them how they got their jobs and what they do at work.

One four-year-old boy called Harry came dressed as a banker like his father, but opened his shirt to reveal a Superman costume. When asked the reason for his two outfits, he said: “Because my dad’s my hero.”

Head teacher Hilary Lambert said: “We wanted to show what is possible with hard work. It’s good to show them the variety out there.

“We’ve not just stuck to the traditional ones, we’ve also included the more attainable ones.”

She said she wanted the children to hear from real people because a job may not always be as it appears.

Amber, 11, said: “I liked that we got to see a variety of jobs we can do if we want. We know what they’re like now.”

A beautician, builder, plumber, cake decorator, fitness coach, electrician, police community support officer, newspaper editor, reporter and photographer were among the 25 different professions represented.

Josh, 10, said his favourite talk was from a scientist from drug company Vectura at Bumpers Way, who showed the children a new kind of inhaler they developed.

Joe, 11, said he wanted to be a reporter so he could use shorthand because it was like a secret code. “It’s just like scribbles, but it actually means something,” he said.

Allington cycling event organiser Andy Cook said: “The kids were well-behaved and asked lots of questions.”