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The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a brand new careers education resource for primary school children in England: Equal Choices, Equal Chances. Developed by the Commission, together with a panel of education and careers experts, and tested in primary schools, the free toolkit for Key Stage 2 teachers helps to challenge any stereotypical ideas which pupils may already have started to form around the world of work.

Commission research¹ shows that formal careers advice needs to start in Primary School and the Commission hopes that this resource will help to show pupils the varied possibilities the world of work has to offer, whilst making it clear that race, gender, faith or disability need not limit their choice of career.

The toolkit is made up of five learning areas each of which contains flexible activities which can be used to create whole lessons or slotted into existing lesson plans. The toolkit also contains an inspirational video called Pass it On and engaging multimedia assets including vox-pop videos and audio recordings to help capture pupils’ attention.
Careers education can provide an excellent opportunity for schools to develop relationships with local businesses and organisations and Equal Choices, Equal Chances provides a comprehensive guide on how to involve local organisations in careers education. 

It will also help schools to deliver effective careers and work-related education as part of their PSHE curriculum, and supports achievement of the ACEG (Association of Careers Education and Guidance) learning outcomes for Key Stage 2 introduced in April this year as part of the new framework for careers and work-related education for 7-19 year olds.

Hilary Bills, Past President, National Union of Teachers, said ‘This resource is a must for all Year 5 and 6 teachers.’

All the resources can be downloaded for free at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalchoices

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 020 3117 0255, out of hours 07767 272 818.

Notes to editors

All the resources can be downloaded for free at:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalchoices

Equal Chances, Equal Choices follows the launch of Equal Rights, Equal Respect for secondary school students last September.

Equal Rights, Equal Respect can be found at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/equal-rights-equal-respect/

¹Equality and Human Rights Commission Research report 71 All things being equal? Equality and diversity in careers education, information, advice and guidance Jo Hutchinson, Heather Rolfe, Nicki Moore, Simon Bysshe and Kieran Bentley. University of Derby and National Institute of Economic and Social Research, 2011.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.  It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain.  It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act and is recognised by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institute.  It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.