Wiseup Networks and the Harris Federation Partnership
Over the last three years, Wiseup has proudly partnered with the Harris Federation, a multi-academy trust of over 50 primary and secondary schools around London. This collaboration has allowed us to work closely with several Harris academies, offering invaluable work experience and mentoring opportunities to their students through our Pathfinder Programmes.
The partnership in numbers:
- Over 50 Harris Federation students on programmes this year
- We’ve facilitated over 290 hours of mentoring for their students so far
- There has been a steady increase in the number of students we’ve supported. In year 2, there was a 40% increase from year 1. In year 3, there was 250% increase
- We’ve also partnered with an increasing cohort of businesses year on year. In year 2, there was a 100% increase from year 1, followed by a 150% increase in year 3 from year 2’s figures
Our Pathfinder Programmes offer unique and life-changing opportunities for the students involved. They combine personalised 1-2-1 mentoring from professionals working in some of the UK’s most dynamic and forward-thinking companies, with hands-on, real-world experiences in the workplace during carefully curated work experience placements.
Working closely with the teams at Harris Academy Tottenham, Harris Academy Westminster and Harris Academy Bermondsey, each programme contains 4 mentoring sessions that wrap around a week’s work experience - with 2 sessions before, 1 during and 1 after the work experience. These initiatives are designed to equip young people with the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to make informed decisions on the next steps in their lives, whether that be further education, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the workforce.
The businesses we partner with play a pivotal role in shaping these experiences. We are fortunate to collaborate with an array of fantastic companies from a wide range of sectors. LondonEnergy, Generali, Kantar, IBM and Hays recruitment,are just some of the inspiring organisations that have generously volunteered their time and expertise to support and mentor our students.
To ensure the volunteers taking part are effective mentors for young people, we run training for members of staff to upskill them as mentors. This 2.5 hour workshop with a Wiseup expert covers a range of fundamental areas involved in working with students at a key point in their lives, as well as exercises to take away and incorporate into mentoring sessions.
We work with our business partners to ensure their work experience is thorough and valuable for the students by helping to prepare and deliver a series of industry talks, hands-on workshops, and employability tasks. These are all designed to enhance the students' professional skills and boost their confidence. A particular focus on CV building and LinkedIn profile creation ensures that participants leave the programme armed with the professional tools and knowledge that will benefit them long after they complete their placement. The mentors typically hail from a range of experience levels and backgrounds, ensuring that students get a rich and diverse input from those they encounter.
As our partnership has grown year on year, we have welcomed more students onto the programme and have witnessed remarkable transformations in their confidence and aspirations. To measure the impact of such initiatives, we ask all our students to complete both pre- and post-programme surveys, assessing their perceptions of the workplace, self-confidence, and future ambitions. The feedback has consistently reinforced just how critical these programmes are for young people, regardless of whether they have a clear career direction or are still exploring their options.
Improvements at a glance
- Students saw an 89% increase in confidence
- There was a 94% increase in their understanding of their future career options
- 89% of students stated they would work for their placement company in future
The student feedback speaks volumes about the impact of the programme:
“My perception of the workplace is that it is a team and a community that is there for one another and it’s reassuring that the workplace is an open and safe space where you meet new people.” – Amal – Harris Academy Tottenham
“I learnt that there are many different parts and many roles can be found in any corporate businesses.” Tina – Harris Academy Westminster
As we look towards the future, we remain committed to expanding our reach and impact, with the aim of increasing the number of students who can benefit from the Pathfinder Programme each year. We are constantly inspired by the dedication, resilience, and ambition demonstrated by both mentors and mentees. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the life-changing effects of these initiatives.
At Wiseup, we are passionate about shaking up the way young people access the workplace. Our goal is to continue bridging the gap between education providers and the world of work, in a way that supports the development, networks, and long-term career prospects of the next generation. By helping students develop these crucial connections, we strive to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive in their chosen path.
The involvement of our business partners and mentors ensures that young people gain valuable industry exposure, insight into potential career pathways, and meaningful networking opportunities that will go on to positively shape their lives, whilst contributing to social mobility in the UK.
