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Bridging the gap between education and the world of work

Helping students prepare for the world of work can be a bumpy and lonely road. We are a community of tens of thousands of educators, volunteers, and businesses, who love to help each other. Join us to accelerate students career development by bringing volunteers to your classroom or taking your students to our virtual assemblies! Get the help you need, when you need it, entirely free of charge.

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About OakNorth

OakNorth is a neobank focused on serving and empowering established businesses that are seeking to scale but are routinely underserved or overlooked by traditional banks.

Impact at a Glance

Since 2023, over 59,000 students — including 14,500 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds — have benefitted from the OakNorth-powered Founders4Schools programme. Focused on different cities across the UK, the programme opens up place-based opportunities in STEM, mentorship, and career pathways, directly supporting schools to deliver against the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance.

From career networking events where students secured work experience on the spot, to teacher-praised sessions delivered by inspiring volunteers, this high-quality programme is raising aspirations and unlocking opportunities for young people.

How educators benefit from the programme

One standout success came when Careers Advisor Chinyere Nnaukwu-Kalu Nkwocha at Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School partnered with F4S to deliver a ‘Meet with Industry’ event for Year 12s. Students networked with professionals such as Daniel Nti Boakye (Software Testing Developer) and David Ukwu (Petroleum Engineering & AI graduate), with some even securing work experience opportunities on the spot:

“The event was a success. The students enjoyed networking with individuals from various industries and were able to secure some work experience placements. They thoroughly enjoyed it.”

— Chinyere Nnaukwu-Kalu Nkwocha, Bishop Ullathorne Catholic School

How volunteers benefit from the programme

How volunteers benefit from the programme
With OakNorth’s support, volunteers not only make a difference to young people but also grow through the experience themselves — building confidence, gaining insight into students’ challenges, and feeling more motivated than ever to give back.

• Confidence:
“My first session was a learning curve, but it allowed my confidence to grow. For someone starting with little experience, it’s a really valuable way to develop.”

• Awareness:
“It’s good to see at first hand the challenges facing students getting into the workplace.”

• Motivation:
“I feel more than ever that we need to do more of this to help inspire the next generation.”

Looking ahead:

With OakNorth’s support, the Founders4Schools programme continues to connect students with real-world career opportunities, strengthen schools’ careers provision through the Gatsby Benchmarks, and provide rewarding experiences for the volunteers who give their time.

Career Guidance support that’s personalised, flexible and genuinely free!

Students exploring career options need more than just online content—they need real conversations with role models with firsthand experience. That’s where we come in.

Simply let us know the support you need, and we’ll connect you with friendly and knowledgeable volunteers ready to share their career journeys and insights so that students can make informed decisions about their futures.

State schools won’t pay a penny for our services. Here is why: we’re a charity powered by volunteers and supported by corporate sponsors committed to unlocking the potential of every young person.

How it Works

Our Support

In-classroom conversations

Unlimited access to our volunteers to provide career guidance that fits around your schedule.

Find Volunteers

Events

Free access to interactive virtual assemblies and workshops tailored to your needs.

Discover Events

On Demand Answers

Carefully chosen resources and tools to help with the career questions students ask the most.

Find Answers

Programmes

Interactive programmes where you can get feedback from other educators and take action!

See Programmes

Featured Events

Join expert volunteers and fellow founders for interactive, small group discussions on key topics, to share best practices and experiences.

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Our Impact

We’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs, charities, and small businesses to succeed so far.

"It is a great programme that has a big impact on the students, and lightens the teacher workload a little” Read more

Central Foundation Boys School

“It was a pleasure...to talk with the Sixth Form. They will be entering the job market in the most exciting time for technology" Read more

The Cavendish School

710k+

Facilitated skill-enhancing connections for over 710,000 students, teachers and career leads

"Students who listened to the two CEOs speak were blown away by what they had to say" Read more

Bexleyheath Academy

“Several members of staff at our school that organise public speaking events said they had never seen an event so amazing!” Read more

Brentford School for Girls

30,000+

Over 30,000 business volunteers have shared their expertise with students, educators and individuals working in small businesses

“85% of students said they’d like to have more employer encounters in the classroom”

Elutec Academy

“The speakers provided quality advice and clear messages about working hard at school, aiming high, and working for something you love” Read more

West Hill School

19%

A single M4G encounter elevates a girl’s perceived importance of mathematics by 19% and their intention to continue with it by 21%

“The benefits are multifold in that all students are inspired in some way by the speakers" Read more

Thomas Alleyne School

95% of students reported an increased knowledge of sustainability, 88% stated it positively influenced their knowledge of future careers Read more

Sustainable Futures Programme

44,000+

We’ve helped more than 44,000 young people with work experience

"Brilliant session: it covered topics like the connection with Maths, problem-solving, and flexibility in the workplace" Read more

GCHQ

100k+

We’ve reached more than 100,000 pupils in Scotland

“Having had internships during university, I know firsthand how vital real-world experiences are in building skills" Read more

Noshin Begum

83%

83% of students say that an F4S employer event inspires them to learn new skills

91%

91% of educators said that F4S is a helpful tool for delivering careers provision

“I wanted to become a university ambassador for F4S because I thought that you can’t be what you can’t see” Read more

Ivy Trudy

92%

92% of business volunteers would recommend F4S to a colleague

Get Involved

Get Career Guidance

Access volunteers for career guidance and tailored advice – whenever it suits you, entirely free of charge. Sign Up

Become a Volunteer

Share your skills to help students prepare for their future: give just one hour at a time, when it works for you. Volunteer