Employability

The Cleeves Crafts DYW project helped pupils explore the value of multilingualism through a partnership with a local multilingual craft business owner. Learners discovered how languages can support careers and customer relationships, then created and marketed multilingual crafts incorporating French, home languages and languages of their choice. By taking on roles such as crafter, advertiser and stall manager, they developed creativity, teamwork, communication and enterprise skills.

The project celebrated linguistic diversity, valued learners’ home languages and demonstrated the relevance of languages to future employment. Following its success as a pilot, the school hopes to extend the initiative to other classes. 

Cleeves Primary School has developed an exceptionally creative and engaging project that successfully brings together multilingualism, employability and enterprise learning in a meaningful and authentic way. Through the partnership with a local craft business, learners were able to experience the complete entrepreneurial journey, from researching languages and engaging with a business owner to designing, creating and marketing products for a real audience.  

A particular strength of the project is its inclusive approach to language learning. Learners were encouraged to draw upon their home languages, taught languages and additional languages of personal interest, creating a rich multilingual environment where all languages were valued and celebrated. This not only enhanced learners’ linguistic awareness but also helped develop confidence, curiosity and respect for the diverse language skills within the school community.  

The project demonstrates excellent planning, with clear learning intentions and strong links to Developing the Young Workforce. Learners developed a wide range of skills including communication, creativity, teamwork, problem solving and entrepreneurship, while also gaining insight into the world of work through direct engagement with a local business partner. The use of career education tools and reflective activities further strengthened learners’ understanding of the skills they were developing and how these relate to future pathways.  

The evidence submitted clearly illustrates high levels of learner engagement, ownership and enjoyment. The multilingual keyrings, friendship bracelets and craft fair provided authentic outcomes that gave purpose to the learning and showcased learners’ achievements in a highly motivating way.   

This is an outstanding example of how multilingualism and employability can be successfully integrated within a primary school context, creating meaningful learning experiences that are both inclusive and inspiring. It provides a strong foundation on which to build future multilingual and employability projects involving additional learners and partners. Congratulations to everyone involved in this excellent submission.