As part of Mortimer Primary School’s STEM Week, Zenith Training had the privilege of delivering the Start Small, Dream Big pilot, an initiative designed to introduce primary-aged children to the world of work in a fun, meaningful, and age-appropriate way.
The event brought together around 90 pupils, aged 7–8, for a day filled with hands-on learning, collaborative problem-solving, and a lot of imaginative energy. At the heart of the session was a simple yet powerful task: to design and build a bridge that could cross a local park pond. This wasn’t just about cardboard and tape; it was about bringing real-world thinking into the classroom in a way that felt exciting, accessible, and empowering.
Each group of children was supported by an employer partner, giving them a chance to work alongside someone from a real company, people they may not normally meet until much later in life. This interaction is key to the purpose of Start Small, Dream Big: to raise aspirations, challenge limiting stereotypes, and show children that their ideas and potential already have a place in the world of work.
Throughout the day, we saw pupils carefully debating which materials to use, how to balance creativity with practicality, and why colour and design matter just as much as strength and stability. Many of them were asking thoughtful questions about how bridges work, how careers are built, and how their own interests might shape their futures. It was a joy to witness young minds so engaged, not just with the task at hand, but with the bigger picture behind it.
What stood out most, though, was the atmosphere. The classrooms were alive with energy and purpose. Children were supporting one another, confidently presenting their ideas, and showing a level of teamwork that would impress in any professional setting. There was laughter, learning, and a genuine sense that something important was happening, not in a grand or formal way, but in those small, memorable moments that stay with you: a child discovering they’re good at explaining things or another realising they love building.
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From an organisational perspective, this event was a wonderful reminder of why early engagement matters. Children at this age are forming ideas about themselves and their place in the world. By giving them a glimpse into different roles, industries, and ways of thinking, we open doors that may have otherwise remained closed. We help them to see that their dreams, no matter how big or unconventional, are valid and achievable.
To the employers who joined us, thank you. Your time, enthusiasm, and encouragement made a real difference. You helped bring abstract ideas to life and showed the children that work isn’t just something adults do, it’s something they can aspire to, shape, and enjoy.
To the employers who joined us (Connexions , Magna , Heron Financial and Waterman Aspen ), your time, enthusiasm, and encouragement made a real difference. You helped bring abstract ideas to life and showed the children that work isn’t just something adults do, it’s something they can aspire to, shape, and enjoy.
And to the staff and pupils at Mortimer Primary School: thank you for welcoming us so warmly and for throwing yourselves into the experience with such open-mindedness and heart. Your pupils are a credit to your school, and we feel genuinely privileged to have shared the day with them.
As we reflect on this pilot event, one thing is clear: when we create space for children to explore, question, and imagine, incredible things happen. We are already looking forward to taking Start Small, Dream Big to more schools and communities, continuing to build those early bridges, both literal and metaphorical, to the futures our young people deserve.