This section of the toolkit was designed to help Careers Leaders understand the range of activities that come under the umbrella term of ‘youth social action’.
This tool will provide you with ‘at a glance’ ideas about the type of activities you could help young people to get involved in. It will also help you, your colleagues, young people and other partners understand:
- The range of different social action activities that young people can get involved in
- How other schools and colleges are using youth social action
- How youth social action can help you achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks
- How youth social action can link to different curriculum areas
You can share this resource with your colleagues, young people, businesses and the community to help them understand the different sorts of activities that they you could develop together.
This tool works best online, but if you need one you can download a copy of all of the information here.
Using our voice to create change in the NHS
- 2525 students each year
- 14 to 25 year olds
- One year
The NHS Youth Forum is made up of 25 young people from all over the country, who have a passion for improving health services for young people. Run by the British Youth Council, the NHS Youth Forum gives a voice to young people to provide feedback, thoughts and ideas on the health issues that matter most to them and support and influence the development of key areas of work within NHS England.
Young people can get involved in their local NHS services through local Hospital Youth Forum, Patient Participation Groups and networks or through Healthwatch groups. Young people can gain qualifications through ASDAN while taking part
Run by: NHS Youth Forum Co-Ordinator, British Youth Council
External involvement: Project is run by the British Youth Council.
Other attributes developed: Confidence, understanding of NHS and healthcare services, independent working
Reflection: Young people are supported to reflect throughout their term on the forum, and to participate in evaluations of their work
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Volunteers from the NHS could speak to students about the range of pathways, local employment opportunities and shortages or growth areas within the healthcare sector. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 5 and 6 - Learning from career and labour market information, encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Headstart Action Programmes
HeadStart Action was designed by The Challenge in partnership with The Mayor of London and Lendlease and was piloted in Southwark in 2018. It is a tailored 16-week programme designed for 14-18 year olds who are either in the 'forgotten middle' or those who are at risk of becoming NEET.
The programme explores social action, personal development and employability skills training. The social action phase makes up 10 weeks of the programme; participants collaborate with a charity partner to create a performance/presentation exploring issues that are meaningful to them and showcased at city hall. At the end of the programme young people are supported to interview for work experience.
Run by: HeadStart Action Programme Manager and The Challenge
External involvement: Greater London Authority, London Bubble Theatre Company, Football Beyond Borders, Lendlease, local charity partners.
Other attributes developed: Self-expression, self-awareness, behaviour regulation, increased confidence, interpersonal skills, empathy, understanding and networking skills.
Reflection: Reflection is built into the programme with students supported to look at their progress throughout and include a short reflection within the final presentation. Young people are encouraged to use this experience in their CV, during interviews and in personal statements.
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employee volunteers could be used to support delivery of the employability workshops and interviews. Students could explore job roles in their chosen charity. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 5 - Encounters with employees and employers
Playing video games to raise money
- 70 students
- 16 to 18 year olds
- 2 weeks
Students studying game design at Canterbury College (part of the EKC group) ran a 3 day video games festival to raise money for a Demelza Children’s Hospice. After visiting the Demelza charity shop and finding out more about the work of the hospice, students were inspired to use their interests to raise money.
They created artwork to be sold on the day, used marketing skills to promote the event and transformed part of their college, setting up booths where other students could pay to play games.
Run by: Games Design Lecturer and Media Lecturer
External involvement: Demelza Hospice
Other attributes developed: Confidence, innovation, technical skills, digital skills, practical skills, counting money
Reflection: Students were supported to use the work produced in marketing and promoting the event in their portfolios as well as discussing the skills they were using within their team.
Links to curriculum learning: Professional development and work experience, marketing design for posters and promotion, portfolio development
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employees from the games industry could deliver a workshop for students and the trip to Demelza allowed students to experience a new workplace. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 6 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, experiences of workplaces
Fundraising with a charity ball
- 3 students
- 17 year olds
- 6 months
Students at City of London Academy Southwark were inspired to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and held a charity ball for other students. The team recruited and auditioned performers willing to entertain on the night, raised money for event catering by holding bake sales in school and managed a budget and marketing strategy, selling tickets to the ball to raise funds. On the night a parent from GOSH spoke to all attending about how the money would make a difference to families.
Run by: Head of Year and Head of Student Engagement
External involvement: Great Ormond Street Hospital
Other attributes developed: Procurement, budgeting and counting money
Reflection: Students were supported by the head of year to reflect on how the project had gone, what skills they had learnt and how these skills might be useful in the future
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: This type of project could provide opportunities to achieve Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 - Encounters with employers and employees and experiences of workplaces. For example, employee volunteers could deliver a session on event management, budgeting or marketing. GOSH could also offer students the opportunity to meet employees and explore jobs in the healthcare sector
Learning about homelessness in our area
- 35 students
- 16 to 18 year olds
- Two 10 week phases
Students at School 21 learnt about homelessness in order to create a documentary film aiming to start a new conversation about homelessness in their local area. The project ran in two phases, one in year 12 and one in year 13. Students researched the issue by finding out more about the causes and speaking to stakeholders before learning the skills needed to film and produce the documentary.
Run by: School Multimedia Manager
External involvement: Local Authority staff, charity workers and people experiencing homelessness, external film production experts
Other attributes developed: Understanding of homelessness, compassion, professionalism, editing and filming techniques
Reflection: Throughout the project students were encouraged to reflect on their journey and thoughts on the issue
Links to curriculum learning: Links to School 21 curriculum area “Head, Heart and Hand”. The project relied on persuasive writing when it came to scripting and social media
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employees from a media company could run a workshop in film making and share real-life examples of delivering client projects. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employees
Supporting the police to engage better with young people
- 5 students
- 14 and 15 year olds
- 16 weeks
Students at School 21 worked with The Met to research the question: “how attractive is the Metropolitan Police as an employer”. Students met with a variety of different teams, learned about different roles, made vlogs and produced research to inform The Met on the ways in which they might engage a younger audience and attract young people into future roles. This was presented to senior members of the Met and New Scotland Yard.
Run by: Police Constable from the Youth Strategy, Engagement & Schools team
External involvement: The Metropolitan Police
Other attributes developed: Research, project management, time management, meeting deadlines
Reflection: Students were supported to complete a reflective presentation, as well as gaining an employer reference and feedback
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 5 and 6 – Learning from career and labour market information, encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Befriending members of the community with dementia
- 30 young people
- 16 to 25 year olds
- Long-term ongoing project
Royal Cornwall Hospital set up a Young Dementia Support project, supporting young people to work alongside patients who have dementia. Volunteers get to know each patient and engage them in activities tailored to patients’ individual interests and abilities. Dementia Volunteers can also provide reassurance to family members that their loved one will receive the personalised care they need.
Run by: Supported in schools and colleges by Health and Social Care Teachers, project ran by Royal Cornwall Hospital Young Volunteer Coordinator
Other attributes developed: Empathy, understanding of dementia, using initiative
Reflection: Students are supported throughout the project to reflect on the skills gained and encouraged to use this in coursework, CVs and UCAS and job applications.
Links to curriculum learning: Can be used as part of Health and Social Care placements
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employees could be invited to speak to the students about the range of careers within the healthcare sector. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 - Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Making pledges to combat climate change
- 5 young people
- 16 to 19 year olds
- 6 week project
Students from Swiss Cottage school, a special school in Camden, learnt more about the environment and climate change using trips to the different museums, gardens and allotments. As part of their learning, and using ‘WE go green’ resources, students made pledges to make changes in school and at home to help combat climate change and embed awareness of the social responsibility people have to protect the planet. The class also planted bee friendly plants in the school garden.
Run by: Class Teacher
External involvement: WE schools, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Kew Gardens, local allotments
Other attributes developed: Understanding of environmental issues, travelling safely (as part of trips)
Reflection: Students created a wall display using photos from activities to help reflect on each trip
Links to curriculum learning: PSHE and Personal Learning Skills though communication with external practitioners and travel offsite
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employees at the museum, garden or allotments could be invited to share their career journeys and talk about the range of careers open to students. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 5 & 6 - Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Campaigning against air pollution
- 200 students
- 16 to 19 year olds
- 8 weeks
After finding out about charities supporting people dealing with the effects of air pollution, students at Croydon College wanted to take action. Teams of students did this in different ways across the college: science students looked at ways to measure air pollution in their community, health and beauty students examined the impact of products being used in salons while other students ran a campaign to raise awareness of the issue.
Run by: Enrichment Officer
Other attributes developed: Confidence
Reflection: At the end of the project students completed a booklet showing their research, reflections and social action. Students were supported to use learning from this project when taking part in mock interviews later in the year
Links to curriculum learning: Links to subject specific curricula
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could explore the range of careers within the health and beauty and environmental sectors. Employee volunteers could be invited to share their own career journeys. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 4 & 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employees
Volunteer placements at a local hospital
- 10 students
- 16 years old
- 12 months
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) offers a small number of placements for local students where they undertake a range of activities predominately in the wards as ward support and meal time buddies. The placement lasts through the whole academic year and is tailored to the student's interests, with some students taking on roles within the Teaching Centre and Histopathology lab.
Run by: RNOH Volunteer Services
External involvement: Placements organised through the RNOH’s volunteer coordinator
Other attributes developed: Independent thinking, working with adults
Reflection: Students are encouraged to include learning from their placement within CVs and UCAS applications
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Gatsby Benchmark 5 and 6 – Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Links to curriculum: Placements can also form part of Health and Social Care courses
Reducing our community’s water and plastic consumption
- 8 students
- Year 7
- 1 term
Having understood how much water goes into making our clothes and the everyday items that we eat or use and throw away, students at Beaconhurst Secondary School in Scotland decided to take action. Using Global Action Plan’s Water Explorer programme, they organised a series of awareness raising events for their whole school and local community, secured commitments from local businesses to reduce their plastic and water consumption, peer-mentored younger students and raised money for Oxfam’s Haiti hurricane appeal.
Run by: Teacher
External involvement: Activity plans provided by Global Action Plan. Local businesses involved
Other attributes developed: Entrepreneurship
Reflection: Students were supported to reflect and present their work to peers
Links to curriculum learning: Activities linked to literacy, geography, citizenship, maths, food technology and science
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could explore related jobs in sustainability and manufacturing. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employees
Campaigning for the FA to pay living wage
- 30 students
- Years 7-11
- 2 months
Many students at Ark Academy have relatives and friends who work at Wembley stadium, usually on low wages. The student Social Action team felt this was an inequality that needed addressing and identified the London living wage as a realistic target to press the FA to pay. The students set up a petition and then marched from the school to the stadium to present the petition, gaining national press coverage. Following this, the FA met with students and agreed to increase wages for direct employees. However, the campaign continues as the FA has yet to increase wages for contracted employees.
Run by: Science teacher
External involvement: Citizens UK provided links to journalists
Other attributes developed: Experience of talking to people in power, talking to journalists, campaigning for a cause, feeling that they can make a difference
Reflection: After the march, students took part in several sessions discussing how it went and how future projects could be improved
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Gatsby Benchmarks 2 and 5 - Learning from career and labour market information, and encounters with employers and employees
Links to curriculum learning: PSHE
Cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness
- Groups of 12 young people
- 11 and 12 year olds
- 12 hours spread across 3 days
Students from the cooking club at The Fulham Boys School teamed up with a local church to cook food for homeless and vulnerable people attending a Saturday drop in meal service. Students planned the dishes they would make and sourced the ingredients from local market vendors and a butcher. The students then spent a Saturday at the church, serving hot food to around 60 people.
Run by: Assistant Head Teacher, with responsibility for school Co-Curricular Programme
External involvement: Local church, local small businesses
Other attributes developed: Developing a ‘have-a-go attitude’, shifting attitudes to vulnerable members of their community
Reflection: Students were supported to write about the experience for the school website and newspaper. All students logged this activity ready to use when writing personal statements or CVs
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Volunteers from local businesses could run a workshop for students on roles within catering or the market vendors and butchers could outline their career paths. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employees
Links to curriculum learning: Cooking, health and nutrition, budgeting, human geography and sociology
Community Apprentice Project
- Groups of 24 students
- 16 and 17 year olds
- Programmes run weekly sessions for 10 months
Envision’s Community Apprentice programme is loosely based on the TV show ‘The Apprentice’. Working in teams over ten months, young people set up their own social action projects to tackle issues they feel passionately about - they decide what they want to do and how they want to do it. Teams compete at three events throughout the year presenting ideas to panels of expert judges. Students are linked with businesses who provide mentoring sessions and Envision coaches facilitate weekly sessions supporting teams to design and deliver their projects.
Run by: Managed by the Regional Manager and facilitated in schools by Project Coordinators
External involvement: Each school is partnered with a business
Reflection: Students complete a Skills Log Book and are supported to write their experience into their UCAS statements and CVs
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: In assisting teams to choose their project or to help them refine it, students could be encouraged to speak with employees of organisations linked to their cause and understand their career paths and visit the workplaces. Links to - Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 – Encounters with employers and employees, experiences of workplaces
Using Community Apprentice to develop our school council
- Six groups of 13 students
- 11 to 17 year olds
- 10 months
Co-op Academies Trust, the Co-op Foundation and Envision created a tailormade version of the Community Apprentice Programme, challenging school councils to galvanise others within their academy to tackle a social problem of their choosing. All the teams were brought together to take part in events, including a launch summit and a ‘Dragon’s Den’ pitch to gain funding for projects. Students then took their projects into their schools, finding ways to engage as many people as possible in their activities. This aimed at empowering the students to take leadership over their projects and use their creativity and confidence skills to talk to their fellow students about their chosen social issue.
Run by: Envision National Programme Manager
External involvement: Envision, Co-op Group business volunteers
Other attributes developed: Confidence, determination
Reflection: Students were supported to completed a Skills Tracker
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: In assisting teams to choose their project or to help them refine it, they could be encouraged to speak with employees of organisations linked to their cause and understand their career paths and visit the workplaces. Links to - Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 – Encounters with employers and employees, experiences of workplaces
Links to curriculum learning: The programme supported the academies to ‘provide opportunities for active citizenship’ as outlined in the new OFSTED framework
Running projects to tackle health issues
- 24 students per programme
- 16 and 17 year olds
- Weekly sessions over 10 months
Supported by Envision, young people in schools across Birmingham took action against the city’s most pressing health issues. With guidance, support and investment from key decision makers in the health sector, young people ran health campaigns to make a difference on health issues within their communities and schools. Students were supported to identify an issue, communicate it to a wider audience and then deliver a social action project. Projects included workshops in local primary schools, art therapy groups in their school, a silent disco and a loyalty card scheme in a school canteen encouraging students to make healthier choices.
Run by: Managed by the Regional Manager and facilitated in schools by Project Coordinators
External involvement: Envision, Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group
Reflection: Students were supported to complete a Skills Log Book and supported to write their experience into their UCAS statements and CVs
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employee volunteers could be encouraged to share their own career journey. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 5 - Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Throwing a party for elderly members of the local community
- 50 young people
- 16 and 17 year olds
- 2 months
Students studying Health and Social Care at Morpeth School held a Christmas party for elderly and isolated members of the local community who are supported by Tower Hamlets Befrienders network. Students planned, raised funds for, and facilitated the event which aimed to foster positive intergenerational relationships while doing something beneficial for local elderly people.
Run by: Sixth Form Learning Manager
External involvement: Tower Hamlets Befrienders Network
Other attributes developed: Social skills, awareness of intergenerational and ethnic differences in the community, event planning skills
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could be encouraged to explore the range of career opportunities within the care sector.
Links to curriculum learning: Links to longer volunteering project within the school
Repairing a seating area in our town
- 18 students
- 16 to 18 year olds
- 2 days
Students studying construction at Sheppey College (part of the EKC group) worked with their local council to repair and maintain brick planters and benches situated in the town square. Resources needed to complete the project were purchased with a small grant given by the Local Authority, applied for by the college. Students were able to practise construction skills whilst gaining confidence and developing pride in their local community.
Run by: Construction Programme Director
External involvement: Local Authority
Other attributes developed: Project planning
Reflection: Students were supported to evaluate their work and identify any improvements for their future work. All were able to log the hours for work experience and add to their CVs
Links to curriculum learning: Project linked directly to course content and learning. Links to health and safety exam, communication and environmental impact also included within course
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students should be encouraged to link practice to theory learned in the classroom. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 6 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and experiences of workplaces
Supporting peers through student mentoring
- 200 students
- 13-16 years old
- 2 year project
As part of their work developing the school council, students at Ormiston NEW Academy are training as student mentors and developing leadership skills. Students are training to gain ASDAN qualifications in mentoring, using the skills gained to support younger students in the school as well as at local primaries. This is creating a ‘cycle of leadership’ where the values and skills gained are cascaded to primary age students.
Ran by: Head of Health and Social Care, PSHE Coordinator
External involvement: Local elderly home, local primary schools, ASDAN
Other attributes developed: Confidence, resilience
Reflection: Students taking part in the project meet weekly with staff to discuss how the project is running and reflect on skills gained. Staff also provide ‘check-ins’ with opportunity to reflect on learning
Links to curriculum learning: PSHE
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could explore the range of job opportunities working with young people, e.g. teacher or teaching assistant. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employee
Using football to tackle inequality
- 100 young people, across 7 schools
- 12 to 16 year olds
- 8-10 week programme
Students from seven different schools took part in a project delivered by Football Beyond Borders (FBB), using the story of Raheem Sterling to introduce young people to assets, platforms, community, inequality and change. They were tasked with planning and delivering their own project to tackle an issue of their choosing and then presenting what they did to their peers, teachers and other professionals at an FBB showcase.
Run by: Delivered by Football Beyond Borders
Other attributes developed: Confidence, awareness of how diverse and dynamic social action is, empowerment as agents of change in their communities
Reflection: Sessions start with reflective activities. Students also complete pre and post surveys to assess impact
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could explore the range of job roles at Football Beyond Bonders and encourage students to explore different pathways. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 5 - Encounters with employers and employees
Creating our Healthy Hub
- 25 students
- 13-15 years old
- 2 year project
Students at Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy (OSSMA) have created a community Healthy Hub, using gardening to learn about mental health coping strategies while growing food to form part of a healthy lifestyle. Food grown by students is donated to members of the local community and primary schools are able to visit and learn more about nutrition from students volunteering on the project.
Run by: PSHE school lead
External involvement: Local garden centre, local voluntary group Macca. Stoke City Football Club attended launch event
Other attributes developed: Confidence and communication, improved school attendance, students given sense of purpose
Reflection: Students taking part in the project meet weekly with staff to feedback on actions taken throughout the week and look at progress towards milestones and goals. Students took part in a baseline ‘feelings and thoughts’ survey and will later complete the same again to see progress
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Volunteers could be invited to speak to students about careers in food science, mental health or related industries. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to career, and encounters with employers and employees
Links to curriculum learning: PSHE, science
Running a mental health conference
- 30 students
- 13 to 17 year olds
- 6 months
A team of students from Hendon School planned, gained funding for and led a conference at Middlesex University that explored mental health with presentations from mental health experts. The team divided themselves into teams covering communications, logistics, workshops and budget and also conducted an evaluation of the event. Within the school, their peers were involved in the project through a series of assemblies and PSHE lessons planned and delivered by the students.
Run by: Assistant Headteacher
External involvement: Middlesex University Students Union, range of external presenters. Budget was secured from Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group
Other attributes developed: Organisation, negotiation, understanding finance
Reflection: Students used evaluation forms to reflect on how the event went and were supported to identify skills gained to include in CVs and application forms
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could be offered the opportunity to explore the range of courses available to study and to experience learning in the university environment. Also, they could have received talks from university staff and the mental health experts on their own career paths. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 5, 6 and 7 - Encounters with employers and employees, experiences of workplaces, encounters with further and higher education
Links to curriculum learning: PSHE
Selling vegetables grown in school
- 15 students
- 13-16 years old
- 2 year project
Students at George Salter Academy have been growing vegetables in a school garden to sell in a pop-up shop for the local community, after visiting local soup kitchens and finding out about their work. Younger pupils involved in the project are heading up the gardening, designing a garden and taking care of the plants to provide an area in the school for conversation and reflection. Older students are running the shop, learning skills used in starting up and maintaining a small business. The pop-up shop aims to make a profit which will then be put back into the project, allowing funding for more gardening.
Run by: Learning Support Assistant
External involvement: Local Authority provided links to local food charities
Other attributes developed: Confidence, entrepreneurship
Reflection: The project is run by a student steering group who meet weekly to discuss how the project is running and reflect on skills gained.
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Employee volunteers could be invited to talk to students about the range of careers in horticulture or running a small business. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 6 - Linking careers to curriculum learning and experiences of workplaces
Links to curriculum learning: Links to oracy in literacy, PSHE
Restart a heart day
- 20 young people from four schools
- 12 to 18 year olds
- 1 day
Students from schools across Birmingham took part in a UK Resuscitation Council initiative sponsored by The British Heart Foundation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. During the day, students took part in a tour of the Emergency Department, saw inside ‘Kids NTS’ (Kids Intensive Decision Support/Neonatal Transfer Service) and St John Ambulance vehicles, and experienced a short cardiac arrest simulation, in order to introduce the situations in which CPR may be required. Young people then learned the vital skill of CPR and returned to their schools as ‘CPR Champions’.
Run by: Led by staff from Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Other attributes developed: knowledge of CPR, confidence to use new skills, general introduction to an NHS hospital environment and the various volunteering opportunities and careers involved
Reflection: Students were supported by their teachers to present what they had learnt to the rest of their school
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Ensure students are told about the range of job roles and pathways available. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 - Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Making school councils more democratic
- Whole school
- 5 to 18 year olds
- Ongoing projects
The Smart School Council programme is a whole-school, inclusive approach to running a school council. Using digital tools, all students are directly involved in making decisions within their class and school, building awareness of the importance of active citizenship. Students take on different roles within a Communication team that runs the programme in their school. School councils support their peers to set up Action Teams on issues, events or activities they are interested in, ensuring that social action projects are young person defined and led. Smart School Councils will introduce an addition to the programme in 2019, involving employee volunteers to support young people in learning more about the world of work.
Run by: Teacher with responsibility for School Council Coordination
External involvement: Smart School Councils
Other attributes developed: Increased engagement with school, an awareness of real-world projects and social action
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students should be encouraged to link their practical experience to classroom learning e.g. English or Business. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and encounters with employers and employees
Links to curriculum learning: Schools are able to form Action Teams on topics that relate to curriculum areas
Recognising skills built through volunteering
- Class or whole school groups of students
- 9 to 19 year olds
- Programmes vary in length, from 1 to 50+ hours
Sports Leader Qualifications (SLQs) provide students with opportunities to develop leadership and life skills, aiming to boost confidence, aid attainment and develop employability skills through a range of subject mediums. Students volunteer to build and demonstrate skills, gaining nationally recognised awards and qualifications in subject areas relevant to them.
Run by: SLQ lead within schools, this is commonly the Curriculum Lead, Assistant Head teacher, or PSHE lead
External involvement: SLQ
Other attributes developed: Self-belief, self-management, communication, employability
Reflection: Students complete a ‘Learner Evidence Record’ as part of their qualification which recognises the skills and behaviours they’ve developed through the course as well as documenting volunteering they’ve completed
Links to curriculum learning: All qualifications and awards map into subject specific curricula as well as PSHE, Character and Personal Development curricula
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Volunteering within organisations provides students with opportunities to experience workplaces. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 6 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, and experiences of workplaces
Baking cakes to provide clean water
- 6 students
- 13 to 14 year olds
- 4 weeks
A group of students at Hendon School sold cakes they had made in order to raise money for the WE Schools programme, providing clean water for communities without access. Students were supported to plan and prepare for the sale over two weeks, making posters, developing a marketing strategy and working on a budget for the project.
Run by: English Teacher
External involvement: Support from WE Schools
Other attributes developed: Organisation, marketing, financial literacy
Reflection: Students were supported to reflect over the week following the sale, writing up skills developed on the project ready to add to their CVs
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Ensure students have the opportunity to link the skills developed (budgeting, marketing, sales and communication) to their subject areas (e.g. English, maths or business). Links to Gatsby Benchmark 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
Helping a local homelessness charity
- 20 students
- 13 to 15 year olds
- Term long project
Students at The Vale School, a special school in Haringey, identified homelessness as a topic that they wanted to learn more about and see how they could support people experiencing homelessness in their community. After completing classroom based-research on how people become homeless and how they could be supported, students heard from speakers with personal experience and then arranged a visit to a local overnight shelter. During the visit, students found out more about the services and job roles on offer at the shelter and helped set up beds to be used by clients that night.
Run by: Class teacher and support staff
External involvement: WE schools, speakers provided by the charity Depaul
Other attributes developed: Communication, empathy, confidence, understanding that they are able to help others, developing agency
Reflection: Students were supported to complete pieces of empathetic writing following the visit
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Gatsby Benchmark 5 and 6 - Encounters with employers and employees, and experiences of workplaces
Links to curriculum learning: Independent living and travel training, literacy, broadening awareness of community and wider world around students
Changing how our school deals with litter
- 15 students
- 11 to 16 year olds
- 6 months
A group of students at Woodbrook Vale School successfully applied for a grant to purchase new recycling bins to go across their school grounds. All rubbish from the school was previously sorted offsite, however students felt that taking ownership for recycling would help to tackle the litter problem in their school. Once the bins had been chosen and ordered, students led assemblies, planned activities for tutor times and monitored bin use at lunch times to encourage their peers to start recycling their rubbish.
Run by: Science Teacher and Head of Year 8
External involvement: Support from WE schools, grant from The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust
Other attributes developed: Empowerment to tackle issues in the community, analytical thinking, budgeting, research skills, procurement skills
Reflection: Students were supported to write reflections on this project, identifying what could be improved for future work
Links to curriculum learning: Maths, science
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Students could be encouraged to explore the range of career pathways related to environment and sustainability. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers
Running a story telling day for our community
- 10 students
- 16 and 17 year olds
- 1 day
Childcare students at North Hertfordshire College designed and delivered a performance followed by art and craft activities relating to a chosen childhood story, providing an opportunity to be involved in activities within the local community while gaining valuable experience working with children. Local schools were invited to attend the event, held at a local farm, along with families visiting the farm.
Run by: College Community Engagement Manager and course tutor
External involvement: Letchworth Heritage Foundation’s Standalone Farm
Other attributes developed: Confidence, working with children, creativity
Reflection: Students reflected with their peers in the classroom following the event and have completed work experience logbooks for further reflection
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: By planning the activity to create time for students to explore the range of job roles within childcare and also at the farm, this project supports careers education. Students can also be supported to apply the practice to the childcare theory learned in class. Links to Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 – Encounters with employers and employees and experiences of workplaces
Links to curriculum learning: Linked to course work experience
Fundraising with a community coffee afternoon
- 28 students
- 14 to 15 year olds
- 14 weeks
Following a visit from Save the Children charity, students at King’s Leadership Academy organised and ran a fundraising coffee afternoon that was open to the local community. Students baked cakes and biscuits in advance, on the day there were book sales, live music, raffles and games while students interacted with customers. The main aim of this activity was for students to give back to their local community and experience the meaning of volunteering.
Run by: English Practitioner and Leader of World of Work
External involvement: Save the Children
Other attributes developed: Professionalism, endeavour, organisational skills
Reflection: Students were asked to complete a reflection log and present a reflection presentation. The activity was also recorded as part of their Duke of Edinburgh and was put on their CVs
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Ensure students have the opportunity to link the skills developed (budgeting, marketing, sales and communication) to their subject areas (e.g. English, maths or business). Inviting staff from the charity to tell students about their own career journey can expand students’ understandings of pathways. Links to Gatsby Benchmark 4 and 5 - Linking curriculum learning to careers, encounters with employees and employers
Links to curriculum learning: Leadership, numeracy, literacy and oracy
Changing perceptions of Autism while running a cafe
- Two year groups of students
- 14 to 16 year olds
- Ongoing project
Students at Springhallow School, a special school for Autism, have set up and run ‘Spring Café’ within their school. After setting up a small café for students and staff onsite, students wished to expand and secured funding to do so. The café was furnished and painted by students alongside local volunteers and the school plans to open the café to the wider community in the future. The project aims to increase awareness of Autism and demonstrate students’ skills, both in running the café and through taking part in enterprise events such as Doughnut Tuesday.
Run by: Class Teacher
External involvement: Supported by the Team London Young Ambassadors Programme. Volunteers provided by Turner and Townsend, furniture donations through Hanwell Friends Group
Other attributes developed: Learning barista and catering skills, practical painting and construction skills, handling money, customer service
Opportunities to link to career-related learning: Gatsby Benchmark 5 and 6 - Encounters with employers and employees, experiences of workplaces