Children Challenging Industry

This flagship programme has been delivered in various English regions, Scotland and China since 1996.

Combining tailored training for industry partners and primary school staff with fully resourced problem-solving classroom activities and interactive site visits to industry the programme has been robustly evaluated for nearly 30 years.

This evidence base has enabled us to refine and expand the programme to ensure the needs of 21st-century schools and companies continue to be met.

Our research

Become a CCI partner

2024-25 CCI bookings

• The North West* has ONE remaining place left for the CCI programme in Summer term 2025 (*Widnes, Runcorn, Manchester, Halton, Liverpool and surrounding areas).  The Edina Trust is currently offering £800 primary school science grants and £550 nursery science grants. Schools can use these grants to cover the cost of participating in our nationally acclaimed Children Challenging Industry (CCI) programme, including transport for the CCI industry visit, purchasing science resources and much more.

  Edina funding is non-competitive, meaning grants are guaranteed if your school is located within one of these local authority areas (Liverpool, Halton, Blackburn and Manchester).  Primary science grants are available in each area for up to 3 consecutive years.

  Closing date for Edina Trust funding applications for this academic year is 13th June 2025.

• The Humber has TWO remaining places for the programme thanks to the support of a new company partner, Worley.  We are working with Worley to ensure more exciting and interactive industry visits for new or returning schools. The final two class places of this academic year will take place during the second half of the summer term 2025.  We are particularly interested in hearing from schools located in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham.

Find out further information about CCI

2025-26 CCI bookings now open

• East of England (Cambs/Herts and surrounding areas)
• Humber (North East Lincs, North Lincs, East Riding of Yorks and surrounding areas)
• North East (Tees Valley and surrounding areas)
• North West (Widnes, Runcorn, Manchester, Halton, Liverpool and surrounding areas)

Find out further information about CCI

Videos

Watch videos featuring children, teachers and industry partners from across the country to learn more about the programme and its impact.

This highly regarded, effective and robustly evaluated programme is unique in its combination of continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers and STEM professionals, direct classroom activities for children, and tailored site visits to industry, all with an emphasis on career-related learning intended to bridge the gap between industry and education.

CIEC's specialist advisory teachers deliver all CPD and coordinate all elements of the programme to broker arrangements, and ensure smooth running and effectiveness.