Running from 1–26 June, The Fiver Challenge, supported by HSBC UK, is a free, national enterprise programme that teachers can run with pupils aged 5–11 to build confidence, creativity and essential life skills. Pupils receive £5 to create and run their own microbusiness, gaining hands-on experience in planning, budgeting, marketing and selling. Schools can win up to £1,000 through competitions running across the four weeks. Teachers are supported with flexible and free, ready-to-use downloadable resources that link across the curriculum. The challenge is Skills Builder Level 3 accredited. Register at www.fiverchallenge.org.uk to get started.

The Fiver Challenge, from Young Enterprise is a free national enterprise programme providing children, aged 5-11, a highly interactive and fun way of developing core enterprise and financial education skills, including problem solving, confidence, creativity and teamwork.

Tycoon businesses have access to a good will loan of up to £3,000 per school or college and compete against each other, through a sophisticated Kickstarter style platform. The top student businesses in each key stage are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Peter Jones CBE each year.

They each support different aspects of schools’ career-related learning. If you are unsure where to start, then the quiz provides a starting point to help you reflect on your school’s current strengths and areas for development.

Education centre and outreach

Invigorate your classroom by giving your pupils an exciting insight into the film industry.

Rocksteady, the leading UK provider of in-school band lessons, brings the joy of music to thousands of primary schools every week. We would love to give pupils and staff at your school an unforgettable introduction to music with a free rock and pop assembly.

Lasts approx. 40 mins, led by professional musicians

Features live performances of chart-topping songs

Includes guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keyboard

• For students aged 6-10

• Aligned to UK national curriculum (Computing)

• Very little preparation required

• Up to 45 minutes in duration

• No cost

"More than 90% of teachers said engaging with STEM Ambassadors has improved their students' awareness and ambitions in STEM."

STEM Ambassadors help bring STEM subjects alive and provide real-life examples of industry careers, facilitating an invaluable link between schools and industry. They are already proving to be an incredible resource for primary schools across the UK and can be requested to support every element of your STEM curriculum.

STEM Ambassadors make that link really clear between the learning pupils are doing in the classroom and how they will be able to use that in the real world.

Laura Deacon, Head of Science, Pegasus and Orchard Meadow Primary Schools

Virtual Live Lessons and Assemblies are both hosted on Microsoft teams. Assemblies are great for classes, or even whole schools, to join and listen to our qualified teachers. Live Lessons include paper-based tasks and partner discussions, so are best suited to joining from a classroom, rather than an assembly. 

Influencing change

We’re influencing change in the workplace, in schools and colleges, and with government.

Enriching education

We’re educating, equipping and inspiring young people, especially girls, to study technology subjects and choose a career in technology. Tech We Can - our educational resource programme - is completely free for schools. We also inspire young adults - especially girls and women - to consider a future career in technology, by connecting them to relatable role models who have recently started their careers.

Our in-school curriculum-aligned STEM workshops meet Gatsby Benchmarks and integrate with the Skills Builder Universal Framework. They are designed to be hands-on, engaging, and accessible to a wide range of learners.

- Maritime Engineers: Shipshape (Years 3–6) – 45 minute practical workshop, introducing pupils to Maritime Engineering and career roles, using teamwork and creative STEAM skills  

- Roving Robots (Years 3–6) – 30 minute practical workshop using LEGO Spike Prime robots to complete tabletop team challenges, explore STEAM creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork

SEND-adapted versions are available to ensure equal access for all students.

Full information and details on how to book will be provided in early September 2025.

Please find information below about a unique and exciting opportunity to be involved in a cross-organisational project to develop children’s aspirations regarding marine sciences and future career paths. This is being developed and delivered with colleagues from the NOC. All details below but do get in contact if you have any questions.

How do we elevate the aspirations of primary school students in marine science?

Dates: Thursday 27^th - Friday 28^th November 2025, 09:00-17:00 both days

Location: National STEM Learning Centre, University of York, YO10 5DD

We are looking for primary school teachers to participate in a 2-day workshop to explore:

• What prevents children of primary school age from seeing themselves as ocean explorers?

• What are the barriers into marine careers for those who do?

This workshop is part of Primary Focus, a project with the long-term aim of transforming diversity in marine science within a generation, to reflect that in wider society. It will achieve this by focussing on how primary school children’s aspirations to pursue careers related to the ocean can be grown.

The workshop will have two outcomes. First, it will collect information and experiences to assess where we are now and what needs to be done. This will be used to co-design a plan for how change can be brought about. This plan will be the basis for an application for funding to the Natural Environment Research Council to deliver that plan nationally.

Second, for attendees this workshop will provide the opportunity to learn about and access existing teaching materials by talking to scientists, and to teachers from schools that have tested approaches to integrate marine topics into the curriculum. It will also be a chance to network with the teachers present for the STEM Learning National Primary Science Conference.

Reasonable travel costs will be covered. As the workshop will run 09:00-17:00 on both days, accommodation will be provided at no cost for the Wednesday and Thursday nights. Breakfasts, and lunches, and dinner on Thursday will be provided. Numbers of in-person and online places are limited. Information provided in the application will be used to achieve a balance across schools.

We are delighted that the following organisations have already agreed to participate:

• The Challenger Society for Marine Science

• Incredible Oceans

• The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

• Laira Green Primary School, Plymouth

• Mount Pleasant School, Southampton

• National Oceanography Centre

• The Ocean Conservation Trust

• Pennycross Primary School, Plymouth

• Plymouth Marine Laboratory

• The Scottish Association for Marine Science

• Southampton City Council

• STEM Learning

• University of Southampton

If you are interested in attending, please complete this registration form:

https://noc-events.co.uk/primary-focus-workshop

The deadline for applications is the 30th of September. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Adrian Martin (adrian.martin@noc.ac.uk).

IET Education provides STEM resources and activities.

As always booking is through Claire at Creative Island and is on a first come first served basis, although we do aim to ensure a fair distribution of opportunities across Island schools where possible. 

Look out for our completely new sessions for 2026 from 15 new partners! Including some from the Tech Industry.

If you would like to request printed copies of the programme please get in touch.

Full details are all in the programme but don't hesitate to contact with any other queries. 

• Career-Related Learning in PSHE Education: Key Stage 1–2

• Getting Started with Career-Related Learning in Primary

No Compass or Compass+ account needed, just register and create an Academy account to get started

• Explore the scientists’ profiles and prepare your questions

• Join your Chat to connect with people who apply science in their careers

• Ask follow-up questions to deepen your understanding

• Cast your Vote to decide who wins the £500 prize!