Swalwell Primary School was one of four Gateshead primary schools to be involved in the Headstart initiative in 2008, which aims to raise the aspirations of Year 6 pupils.

And now, a camera crew from Birmingham-based production company Television Junction has returned to the community in the Gateshead’s inner west, to show how much Headstart, which is jointly funded by the Government’s AimHigher initiative and Connexions Gateshead, has positively contributed to the area and the ambition of its young learners.

In partnership with employers such as Northumbria Police, Gateshead Council, Gateshead and Newcastle Colleges, Newcastle Dental School, Inbiz, BT, and Procter and Gamble, Headstart combines careers education from the horses mouth in the form of high impact workshops, with on-site visits to Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, in order to raise aspirations in areas traditionally under represented in Higher Education.

Filming will be completed lateon Thursday (November 6), and the finished documentary, called Raising Aspirations, will be streamed on the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) professional development channel, Teachers’ TV, later in the academic year.

Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said: “This is another great example of Gateshead Council leading the field nationally and it is wonderful to have the positive work done here recognised on a countrywide level.

“It isn’t unusual to have projects such as this for those in secondary education, but there is no reason why 10 and 11-year-olds all over the UK shouldn’t begin to develop some understanding of what university is and the huge array of career options open to them.

“This project has allowed children across Gateshead to find out more about and have fun looking at professions they may never have heard of, without any pressure.

“And I’m sure it has helped to bring new meaning for them to a lesson many of us were taught by our own parents, that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.”

Paul Davies, series producer for Raising Aspirations, said: “There is something very special happening in Swalwell and further afield in Gateshead.

“I make 65 or 70 programmes like this every year and Headstart at Swalwell Primary School really stands out.

“You can see how the project is helping to break down gender stereotypes and motivate the children into thinking about how exciting their future can be.

“It’s been lovely to see, and has not only helped the young people but is having a positive knock on effect on their families and into the wider community as well.”

Headstart is due to begin in four more Gateshead primary schools later this month.