Words for Work: Dream Big

Words for Work: Dream Big develops literacy skills, raises aspirations and challenges stereotypes for children in Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2. It is completely free for schools to take part.

Through a variety of interactive play and skills-building activities, the programme helps children practise language and literacy. It also helps young children imagine their futures, and how they will use the skills they are learning at school when they are older.

At the start of each programme, pupils meet business volunteers either at their workplace, online or a visit to the classroom.

Pupils are sent on a mission to learn about different jobs and how speaking, reading, writing and listening skills are used in a workplace. Follow-up activities take place back in the classroom with their teacher and are tailored to individual schools’ needs.

Schools will receive:

• A collection of props, equipment and resources to bring careers alive in the classroom
• Accompanying literacy teaching resources, linked to the national curriculum
• A training workshop led by the National Literacy Trust
• Celebration event including parent packs and certificates for children to bring home

Dream Big

For this Key Stage 1 programme, children learn about being an engineer, an architect, an artist, a journalist, a scientist, a shop assistant, a chef and a doctor. Communication skills and learning through play are at the heart of this early-careers programme so in addition to being sent wonderful picture books and literacy activities that focus on each of these careers, schools will also receive role-play resources and small world play equipment to create six workplaces in the classroom.

Dream Big for STEM

For this Key Stage 1 programme, children learn all about possible STEM careers such as being an architect, an engineer, a robotics engineer, a mathematician, a computer coder, a scientist, a doctor and a marine biologist. Communication skills and learning through play are at the heart of this early-careers programme so in addition to being sent fantastic picture books and literacy activities that focus on each of these careers, schools will also receive role-play resources and small world play equipment to create six STEM workplaces in the classroom.

Dream Big for Engineering

For this Lower Key Stage 2 programme, pupils aged 7-8 are introduced to the world of engineering careers by building their vital literacy skills and challenging early gender stereotypes that may influence their later education and career decisions. The Dream Big for Engineering programme explores four different subsectors of engineering through brilliant story books and engaging role-play and design resources. Each book has two planned and resourced lessons to support children with their reading and writing, and a design challenge to become an engineer in the classroom.