Educate the Educator – Stay Local, Go Far Programme

Background 

Following the success of a 2023/24 pilot exploring Clean Energy and Health & Life Sciences, the Educate the Educator – Stay Local, Go Far programme expanded in 2025. Delivered in Tees Valley, the initiative engaged 16 employers and 55 teachers across all five local authorities (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton). The programme focused on priority growth sectors, equipping educators with insights into industry pathways to better prepare students for future careers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-3SxNxcfY  

What is a Teacher Encounter? 

Teacher encounters are structured experiences where educators spend time with employers to: 

• Understand real-world applications of their subject. 
• Gain insight into career pathways, job roles, and skills. 
• Translate this knowledge into their curriculum, inspiring students to connect learning with work opportunities. 

This approach benefits both teachers and employers. Educators gain confidence in supporting students’ career decisions, while employers strengthen ties with their community and future talent pipeline. 

Programme Design

• Preparation: Teachers were matched with sector-relevant employers and joined a virtual briefing to set expectations and identify knowledge gaps. Initial surveys revealed: 
  • All teachers embedded some careers content in lessons. 
  • Few had strong knowledge of industry job roles or pathways. 
  • Most were not confident in teaching sector-specific careers content
• Industry Days: Teachers visited employers for a full day (or half-day for construction), which included site tours, talks on career pathways, and practical activities linking curriculum to industry.
  • Automotive – Cummins
  • Aerospace – Teesside International Airport
  • Clean Energy – Thirteen Recycling Centre
  • Construction – ESH Group
  • Creative – Darlington Hippodrome & North East Screen
  • Digital – Double Eleven
  • Engineering/Clean Energy – Balfour Beatty & Technip Energies
  • Health & Life Science – James Cook University Hospital (NHS)
• Resource Development: Each teacher produced a lesson resource aligned to their subject area and key stages (KS3–KS5, including SEND). Resources highlighted employer insights, local projects, career pathways, job roles, and skills. These branded resources will be made available on the Tees Valley Careers website and nationally from September 2025 – https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/work/careers-hub/pathways/support-for-schools-colleges/gatsby-benchmarks/educate-the-educators-lesson-plans/educate-the-educators-lesson-plans-2025/  

Outcomes

• Teachers gained confidence in delivering careers-focused lessons and discussing pathways with students. 
• Curriculum resources created a sustainable legacy, enabling wider use across schools and colleges. 
• Employers enhanced community engagement, influencing educators who are key decision-making influencers for young people. 

CPD and Sustainability

A virtual CPD workshop (July 2025) consolidated learning, allowing teachers and employers to share experiences. The Careers & Enterprise Company also outlined the national impact of teacher encounters and encouraged ongoing participation – https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/work/careers-hub/pathways/support-for-schools-colleges/gatsby-benchmarks/educate-the-educators-lesson-plans/educate-the-educators-lesson-plans-2025/  

Impact

The programme successfully connected education with industry in Tees Valley, ensuring teachers are better equipped to guide students toward diverse pathways — including technical and vocational routes such as apprenticeships. By embedding industry insights into everyday teaching, the programme is helping young people see the relevance of their learning and explore opportunities to “stay local, but go far.” 

Quotes:

“Attending the Aerospace and Health and Life Science encounters has been invaluable in enriching my knowledge of how my subject area links to in-demand industry careers in the Tees Valley. It was well run, broad and the staff we spoke to could not have been more helpful and welcoming. Seeing behind the scenes, has equipped me with fresh strategies and deeper insights/advice that I can immediately apply in the classroom to benefit the students I teach.” 

“Excellent opportunity to build sustainable relationships with schools and colleges within the region, and to offer programmes and support to students.”