HEALTHY FUTURES: CONNECTING CLASSROOMS, CAREERS, AND COMMUNITIES
22 April 2026
Summary
Healthy Futures is a collaborative programme between Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System and five local primary schools, designed to inspire interest in health and care careers while supporting classroom learning. Targeting areas of high deprivation, it connects science education with real-world healthcare experiences .png)
through interactive sessions led by healthcare professionals and college students. By combining hands-on activities, career insights, and community engagement, the programme aims to raise aspirations, improve health awareness, and build future workforce pathways in local communities.
Why change was needed
Across Coventry and Warwickshire, there are persistent health inequalities linked to deprivation, alongside workforce shortages in several key health and care professions. Many children in disadvantaged communities have limited exposure to career opportunities within the NHS and wider health sector, which can reduce aspirations and awareness of achievable pathways. .png)
At the same time, schools face challenges in making science education engaging and relevant, particularly for younger pupils who may struggle to connect classroom learning with real-life applications. Without early intervention, misconceptions about health careers and a lack of visible role models can continue into later education, narrowing the future talent pipeline.
The Healthy Futures programme was developed in response to these challenges. It aligns with NHS CORE20PLUS5 priorities by targeting schools in areas of high deprivation, where a significant proportion of pupils are eligible for pupil premium. The initiative seeks to address both educational and workforce challenges by embedding health-related learning into the curriculum while introducing children to a diverse range of careers at an early age.
By engaging pupils in Years 3–5, the programme aims to influence attitudes and aspirations before key educational choices are made. It also recognises the importance of involving families and communities, ensuring that awareness of health careers extends beyond the classroom and contributes to wider social value.
What we did
The Healthy Futures programme was delivered across five primary schools through a series of three themed sessions, each linked to local “at-risk” healthcare professions and aligned with the curriculum. .png)
The first session, My Healthy Body (July–December 2025), was delivered by Nursing and Midwifery Ambassadors alongside an educational psychologist. Using storytelling, AI-generated characters, and interactive activities, pupils explored how the body works and how healthcare professionals support wellbeing. Activities included organ-matching games and using real stethoscopes to check pulse rates. The session was designed to be engaging and accessible, helping children connect science learning to real-life healthcare roles. Pupils were given “Ask me about” stickers and take-home materials to encourage conversations with families, extending learning into the community.
The second session, Discovering Medical Science (March 2026), introduced children to biomedical science and diagnostic radiography. Delivered by professional ambassadors alongside BTEC Science students from Coventry College, the session highlighted both careers and education pathways. The involvement of college learners provided relatable role models and enabled peer-to-peer interaction. Activities included analysing x-ray images, exploring germ transmission, testing handwashing using glow boxes, and practising operating theatre procedures such as gowning and masking. College students supported small group work, gaining valuable placement experience while helping pupils engage more deeply.
Feedback from teachers was highly positive, noting the inclusivity of the sessions and their lasting impact on pupils’ engagement, learning, and career awareness. Many children expressed increased interest in health careers, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in raising aspirations. .png)
A third session, focusing on rehabilitation, is planned for June 2026 and will be delivered by Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Ambassadors, further broadening pupils’ understanding of healthcare roles.
What’s next?
The programme will continue with the final rehabilitation-focused session, completing the initial delivery cycle. Future plans include evaluating impact, refining content, and exploring opportunities to expand the model to additional schools. Strengthening partnerships with local colleges and healthcare providers will remain a priority, ensuring sustainable pathways into health careers. The long-term ambition is to embed Healthy Futures as a scalable approach to reducing inequalities and supporting workforce development across the region.