At John Lyon School, Charn, a dedicated careers advisor, has been using F4S to connect students with top industry professionals, helping them broaden their career horizons and gain real-world insights. Through career and STEM events, Charn has successfully introduced students to professionals they wouldn’t normally have access to, providing valuable experiences that inspire their future choices.

Making Employer Connections Easy

Charn first heard about F4S when a colleague recommended it as an effective way to bring employers into schools for career events. After signing up, she was impressed by how simple and intuitive the platform was, allowing her to find and book relevant industry speakers quickly.

“It’s just a great way to access employers that you might not have any connections with,” Charn shared.Through the platform, she has arranged insightful career sessions that have given students exposure to a variety of industries, including STEM and technology, helping them understand the skills and opportunities available to them.

Providing Students with Real-World Role Models

One of the biggest advantages of using F4S has been the ability to bring in professionals who can share real experiences and career journeys, helping students see what’s possible for their futures. Whether through in-person or virtual sessions, these encounters have been transformative, encouraging students to think about careers in a new way.

Charn noted that the feedback from both students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the value of industry engagement in career education.

Flexibility to Suit Every School’s Needs

While Charn prefers in-person interactions, she values the flexibility of virtual sessions, which allow students to hear from industry leaders no matter their location. This ensures that career learning opportunities are always accessible, regardless of scheduling or logistical challenges.

The Impact

By using F4S, Charn has been able to enhance career education at John Lyon School, offering students inspirational encounters that shape their aspirations. Through direct access to top industry professionals, students have gained valuable insights into potential career paths, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.

Want to inspire your students like Charn?

At Lift Schools, a multi academy trust committed to delivering high-quality education and expanding opportunities for young people, Juliet Doyle, the National Secondary Curriculum Lead, has been using F4S to bring real-world maths applications into the classroom. By connecting students with professionals across diverse industries, she has helped them see how maths is used beyond the classroom and into exciting careers.

Using F4S to Enhance Maths Education

As part of Maths4Girls, a programme designed to encourage girls to continue studying maths beyond GCSE, Juliet saw an opportunity to introduce her students to inspiring female role models working in maths-related careers.

To celebrate Maths Week, Juliet organised a series of daily career insight sessions, bringing in professionals from a wide range of industries to show students where maths could take them.“It was a really amazing opportunity for students to see the real range of different industries, professionals, and people that use maths in their careers,” she shared.

Broadening Students’ Horizons

Through F4S, Juliet connected her students with high-profile financial companies, such as Lloyd’s of London and Aviva, alongside professionals from unexpected fields where maths plays a crucial role.

“Without this platform, we probably wouldn’t have had access to those professionals,” she explained.

One of the highlights of the program was a university student speaker, offering a relatable perspective on studying maths at a higher level.

“It was really nice because the speaker was closer in age to our pupils. They had recently gone through the same school experience, which made it much more relatable.”

A Seamless Fit for Schools

With Lift Schools' mission of empowering students through knowledge and opportunity, Juliet found F4S to be the perfect tool to provide students with valuable career insights. The flexibility of the platform allowed her to schedule sessions that worked within the school timetable, ensuring that students could attend without disruption.“In schools, nothing ever happens exactly on the hour, so being able to book speakers at 10:10 rather than a fixed time was incredibly useful,” she shared.

The Impact

By bringing real-world role models into the classroom, Juliet helped students—especially girls—see the value of maths beyond school. The diverse range of speakers challenged stereotypes, opened minds, and inspired students to consider new career pathways they hadn’t thought of before.

Want to inspire your students like Juliet?

At Leyton Sixth Form College, Joseph, a dedicated maths teacher, has been using F4S to bring real-world career experiences into his classroom. With a keen focus on helping students see the real-world applications of STEM and finance, Joseph has transformed his enrichment classes by introducing students to industry professionals they wouldn’t usually have access to.

Bringing Representation into STEM

One of Joseph’s key priorities has been to ensure that his all-female class has access to relatable role models. Using F4S’s smart matching technology, he was able to connect with STEM mentors who reflect the diversity of his students, helping them see a future for themselves in science, technology, engineering, and maths."It was really nice to have the selection boxes and actually be able to get STEM mentors that promote that representation," Joseph shared.

Exclusive Access to Industry Leaders

Beyond STEM, Joseph also used F4S to broaden his students’ exposure to careers in finance. He successfully booked a session with a director at Revolut, providing his students with a unique opportunity to hear from a leader in the financial sector.Joseph explains: "That kind of access to industry leaders wouldn’t have been possible if I had just reached out to finance companies directly"

Flexible and Accessible Learning

With recorded sessions available, Joseph ensures that students can engage with career insights on their own time. The flexibility of the platform has been a game-changer for integrating career learning into his curriculum."Being able to book sessions around our timetable has been really useful," he said.

The Impact

Through F4S, Joseph has been able to offer his students a window into industries, careers, and pathways that might have once felt out of reach. By connecting them with real-world role models, he is helping to inspire the next generation of STEM and finance professionals.

Want to inspire your students like Joseph?

We’ve all felt lost and overwhelmed when trying to find our place in the working world, which is why it’s important to have role models that you can look up to…

👋 Meet Andrew, our amazing volunteer who has shared his story with the F4S community and advocates for neurodivergent workplaces that are supportive of all employees. 

We asked him a few questions about his volunteering motivations and why he chose F4S. Here’s what he said ⬇️

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how long you've been volunteering with F4S…

⭐ “I run a brand consultancy, helleau, and teach subjects around branding and digital marketing to Masters’ students.

I am a late-diagnosed neurodivergent (Autism and ADHD) person who for years struggled with life and work. I was perceived as being very intelligent, but struggled academically; I was perceived as being extrovert but struggled in many social settings. With diagnosis came an understanding of why the world sees me how it does, and why I see the world as I do. I have only just started volunteering for F4S in the past few weeks.”

Q: What made you decide to volunteer with F4S?

"An ex-student introduced me to F4S and thought it might be something I was interested in; I was immediately!"

Q: What motivates you to be part of the F4S mission?

"I struggled in education, work, and life until I found what works for me. I welcome any opportunity to be a part of making this process less tough for new generations!"

 Q: Is there any career advice you wish you had when you were younger?

"It would have been really helpful to have known about neurodivergence in school already, instead of only in my 30s! There’s little point in wishing things had been different though, they weren’t, overall I think the best advice is to find your own way and that there are many ways!"

Do you want to volunteer your time to inspire the next generation of young professionals? Sign up here

We'd love to hear from you! 🙂

📅 3rd – 8th March

National Careers Week (NCW) is an exciting opportunity for educators to bring careers education to life in their classrooms. This year’s theme, “You Can!”, is all about inspiring and empowering young people to explore their future career pathways.

At F4S, we’re passionate about connecting students with industry professionals who can provide real-world career insights. Our mission is to help students discover diverse career options and ignite their enthusiasm for the future.

This blog post outlines everything you and your students can get involved with during National Careers Week.

🔹 Social Media Takeovers

Each day this week, we’ll be featuring inspiring career stories from volunteers across different industries. These professionals will share their personal career journeys, offering valuable advice and insights to help students explore the many career paths available.

We’ll also be spotlighting success stories from students who have been supported by F4S—showcasing how guidance and mentorship can make a real difference in navigating career choices.

Don’t miss out! Click the icons below to follow us on social media.

🎥 Virtual Assemblies

We’re hosting two engaging virtual assemblies to inspire students with real-world career insights.

🌍 Shaping Sustainable Futures with Christoph Harwood

📅 Tuesday 4th March
⏰ 10:30 - 11:00 AM
📌 Register here to secure your spot

Join us for an eye-opening session with Christoph Harwood, a sustainability expert dedicated to protecting our planet. Christoph has spent over a decade at the intersection of environmental challenges and business innovation—pioneering tidal energy technology, leading strategic initiatives at Simply Blue Group, and advising through Marksman Consulting.

✅ What students will gain:

• An understanding of the role of fisheries and aquaculture in the global ecosystem.
• Insights into how businesses can drive sustainability efforts.
• Career inspiration in environmental science, sustainable engineering, and consulting.

👥 Perfect for:

• Students interested in sustainability and climate action.
• Those considering studying environmental science, business studies, or sustainability.

🔧 Sustainable Futures: Engineering a Greener Tomorrow

📅 Tuesday 4th March
⏰ 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
📌 Register here to secure your spot

How can engineering and innovation help solve the biggest environmental challenges of our time? This session explores green engineering, carbon reduction, and sustainable business models shaping the future.

Our guest speakers include:

• Gagan Jagpal, Portfolio Manager at the Hanro Group, with extensive expertise in property management and sustainability.
• Hamish Barrie, an Accounting & Finance undergraduate at Newcastle University, who will discuss how sustainability has influenced his degree so far.

✅ What students will gain:

• Insights into careers in sustainable engineering, environmental science, and green business.
• An understanding of how technology is driving sustainability efforts.
• Real-world examples of innovative solutions in carbon reduction and renewable energy.

👥 Perfect for:

• Students interested in engineering, sustainability, and climate action.
• Those considering studying environmental science, renewable energy, or business sustainability.
• Students looking at Newcastle University or other Russell Group universities.

🚀 NCW Student Challenge: The Future of Work

The world of work is changing rapidly—many jobs that exist today didn’t even exist five years ago! Think Social Media Manager, AI Ethics Consultant, or Drone Operator.

This week, we challenge your students to invent a brand-new job role that doesn’t exist yet but could be needed in the future. Students should create a short video or written pitch explaining their idea.

📌 Find out more about the challenge and how to enter

🏆 Exciting prizes to be won!

📚 Classroom Resources

To support meaningful career conversations during National Careers Week, check out these fantastic resources:

✅ NCW Virtual Careers Fair – An interactive event featuring employer exhibits, career resources, and industry insights.

✅ The Careers & Enterprise Company: My Learning, My Future – Subject-specific resources that highlight career pathways linked to different school subjects.

✅ Skills Builder – Lesson plans and activities designed to develop essential skills for future careers.

Let’s Make National Careers Week Inspiring!

We hope you and your students enjoy an exciting National Careers Week full of inspiration and discovery.

💡 Got questions? Want to share your NCW success stories?
We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch and let us know how your students are getting involved.

🎉 Let’s inspire students futures together!

The world of work is changing rapidly with advances in technology, science, and society. Many jobs that exist today didn’t exist 5 years ago—think about roles like Social Media Manager, AI Ethics Consultant, or Drone Operator. In this challenge, you will step into the future and create a brand-new job that could exist in 10-20 years!

Your Task:

Your challenge is to research emerging trends and invent a new job role that doesn’t exist yet but could be needed in the future. You will then create a short video or written pitch explaining your idea.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Research Future Trends
   • Explore industries like technology, healthcare, sustainability, space exploration, artificial intelligence, or entertainment.
   • Consider global challenges such as climate change, automation, ageing populations, or new scientific discoveries.
   • Think about what jobs might be needed in response to these changes.
     
2. Create Your Future Job Profile - Your profile should include:
   • Job Title – Be creative!
   • Industry – Where would this job exist?
   • Job Description – What does this job involve? What tasks would someone in this role do daily?
   • Skills & Qualifications – What skills and knowledge would someone need? Would they need a degree or special training?
   • Why This Job Matters – Explain how this job will help society, businesses, or individuals in the future.
     
3. Present Your Idea - Choose one of the following formats for your submission:
   • Video Pitch (1-2 minutes) – Record yourself explaining your job idea. You can include visuals, props, or slides.
   • Written Pitch (200-300 words) – Write a compelling description of your job, including all key points.

Judging Criteria:

Your submission will be evaluated on:
✅ Creativity – How original and imaginative is your idea?
✅ Relevance – How well does your job connect to future trends?
✅ Clarity – How well do you explain your job role and why it’s important?
✅ Presentation – Is your pitch engaging, well-structured, and clear?

Submission Details:

Deadline: March 10th 5:00pm
How to Submit: Email your submissions to the Director of Learning at F4S at ella.lee-reynolds@founders4schools.org.uk
Prize: Win up to a £50 gift card

Now, it’s your turn to predict the future! 🚀

We are thrilled to introduce Ignite 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 - an exciting learning series designed to inspire and empower young people across Scotland. Ignite is designed for S1-S6 and is open to all students, nationwide.

Scotland is full of potential innovators. Our goal is to reinvent the image of an entrepreneur for those who may not believe it’s for them - and show that anyone can do it!

We’ll hear from speakers who started businesses while still in school, and others who came to it later in life. We’ll hear from people turning hobbies into profitable enterprises, and warriors addressing important social issues.

For example, we’ll meet Amee Ritchie, the co-founder of S’wheat Bottle, who started her plant-based water bottle business to help combat plastic waste, and Joe Donald, who created TripTix out of frustration over the hassle of booking tickets to see football teams play abroad.

We’re creating a movement that connects real-life entrepreneurs to young dreamers! ⭐️

Our recorded interviews are here to spark curiosity in young people whilst providing them with tangible role models who have lived and experienced a similar upbringing. 

Do your students have an interest in starting a brand? Are you looking for free resources for your class? Then, Ignite 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 can help you engage and inspire your students.

This programme is completely free for Scottish schools, thanks to the support of the Scottish Government Entrepreneurial Education Pathways Fund.

Each episode will explore exciting topics such as technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and more, with a focus on unleashing Scotland’s brightest minds and helping them succeed in business. ⭐

Don't miss out on our 8-week learning series and sign up today 🙂

What can I expect?

We know how busy you are, so we’ve created a programme that’s highly flexible to fit it into your teaching schedule and run at your own pace. 

Each week, you’ll receive a new module that includes:

• Engaging video content that puts the spotlight on a real-life entrepreneur who has turned their passions into a successful business
• An adaptable lesson plan
• An easy-to-administer Student Challenge
• CPD resources
• Certification after participating in at least 6 of our challenges
  

How long do sessions last?

The lessons are designed to be 50 minutes. They're fully flexible, so you can adapt them to fit your time and needs.

Get involved and help unleash a new generation of entrepreneurs! 📖

In today's uncertain landscape, social impact is valued by investors, demanded by employees, sought after by customers, and will strengthen our economy. At F4S, we are proud to align our mission with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our commitment to empowering individuals, enhancing education, and fostering economic growth directly supports these global objectives:

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F4S, an independent UK charity operating in Scotland since 2017 and in England since 2015, providing educators with access to volunteer role models who share their career journeys with young people. As part of the Scottish Government’s support for the future workforce, F4S connects businesses with education to inspire and prepare young people aged 6–25 for the job market. By showcasing real-world examples of career pathways, the charity helps improve employability and life chances.

Through career talks and workshops, students gain insights into various industries, helping bridge the gap between education and employment. F4S plays a vital role in addressing skills gaps and promoting career opportunities in key sectors like technology and engineering.

In Scotland, F4S works with 221 schools and facilitated over 240,000 encounters with employers, reaching more than 100,000 pupils.

F4S and OakNorth Bank are dedicated to stimulating economic growth by enhancing the talent pipeline from disadvantaged backgrounds to growing businesses.

The OakNorth Powered Program redefines traditional career-acceleration methods. Utilizing the F4S platform, we integrated scale-up business role models and university ambassadors in classrooms, along with virtual assemblies, interactive workshops, and internships. This innovative approach cultivates new ways of thinking among teachers and students alike.

Leveraging OakNorth's commitment of 1% profit plus 1% staff volunteering time, along with the platforms and expertise of F4S, Superpower and Digital Boost, we developed a highly innovative and deeply transformative program. We are on track to equip 100,000 students with the essential career insights, skills, and mindset needed to seize opportunities in STEM fields.

Costing less than a cup of coffee per student (per annum), programmes like these provide a brighter future for disadvantaged individuals across the UK enhancing the talent pipeline to businesses nationwide.

In the first year of the programme, educators in  Bristol, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle showcased 220 of our volunteers working in AI, design and gaming to 30,000 students