There has been no published research in the UK specific to the promotion of occupational therapy as a career amongst secondary schoolchildren. A two-part questionnaire was administered to 110 schoolchildren (age 14 – 16 years) at three schools in England. Questionnaires investigated awareness about occupational therapy as a potential career and opinions of promotional materials - a video, radio advert and careers leaflets issued by the College of Occupational Therapy. Findings indicate that awareness of occupational therapy is low, careers teacher are first and the Internet second choice when finding out about a career in occupational therapy All chose the video as the best promotional material. Schoolchildren need to be informed about occupational therapy before age 14 if they are to consider it as a career; careers teachers need ready access to promotional materials and COT web pages need to be developed specifically for secondary school-age children.