School/Industry Links at the Primary Level: Engaging the Small Business

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Over the years greater stress has been placed in the UK upon industry links and the work-related curriculum in schools with the emphasis moving away from aspects that are purely vocational. More importantly, this area of work is seen as providing a focus for the encouragement of knowledge and understanding of business and industry, as well as how they operate. More recently there has been a move to encourage partnerships between education and industry. This feature has become common not only in the UK but in a number of other countries in the West which are experiencing the effects of post-industrialism. The links that are encouraged are considered to be of benefit to all those involved, and indications are that participation in activities of this type has increased. This paper considers how industry links with education have evolved over the years and to determine the way in which primary schools have become involved in these activities.1 The impact these activities have made and how they stand today in the light of recent curriculum changes is discussed. Information gained from the survey is disclosed and particular attention is drawn to the responses from primary schools. While the return rate overall was relatively low, placing some doubt on the results, the indications are that the data reflects the prevalent situation.