20 May 2026
Pearson report shows careers advisers influence student decisions
Pearson has published its School & College Report 2026, based on surveys of teachers and school leaders across primary, secondary and colleges setting, plus 1,000 survey respondents from each of primary, secondary and college students.
The report reflects a clear view that learning is for life and career, with students sharing their hopes for the benefit education brings them. One quote from a school student is that they hope learning will help them “stay curious, adapt to new challenges, and make informed decisions that benefit both my career and personal life…Most of all, I hope learning will help me keep growing, no matter what changes life brings.”
Educators were asked what they were preparing students for, and 17% of primary teachers said they were preparing them for their future careers, rising to 43% among secondary school teachers and 80% of college tutors. 74% of year 11 students felt ready to make choices about their next steps, rising to 83% for students at college. Links to future careers was cited as the second or third highest reason for subject choice but some pupil stories showed that a lack of real-world career exposure made choosing difficult.
In terms of influences on decision making, 95% of year 9-11 pupils said parents and carers had an impact, followed by 90% saying teachers and tutors, 84% saying friends and 78% saying careers advisers. Among college students, 97% said parents and carers, as well as teachers and tutors, 95% said friends and 93% said careers advisers.
Read more about the Pearson School & College Report 2026.
The report reflects a clear view that learning is for life and career, with students sharing their hopes for the benefit education brings them. One quote from a school student is that they hope learning will help them “stay curious, adapt to new challenges, and make informed decisions that benefit both my career and personal life…Most of all, I hope learning will help me keep growing, no matter what changes life brings.”
Educators were asked what they were preparing students for, and 17% of primary teachers said they were preparing them for their future careers, rising to 43% among secondary school teachers and 80% of college tutors. 74% of year 11 students felt ready to make choices about their next steps, rising to 83% for students at college. Links to future careers was cited as the second or third highest reason for subject choice but some pupil stories showed that a lack of real-world career exposure made choosing difficult.
In terms of influences on decision making, 95% of year 9-11 pupils said parents and carers had an impact, followed by 90% saying teachers and tutors, 84% saying friends and 78% saying careers advisers. Among college students, 97% said parents and carers, as well as teachers and tutors, 95% said friends and 93% said careers advisers.
Read more about the Pearson School & College Report 2026.
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