Gatsby Benchmark 6

IntoTech Programme from Speaker for Schools 

The IntoTech programme, run by Speakers for Schools, is an exciting initiative designed to introduce young people to the world of technology and digital careers. Aimed at students with an interest in tech, the programme offers hands-on learning experiences, industry insights, and mentorship from professionals working in leading technology companies. Through interactive workshops and real-world projects, students gain valuable knowledge and skills that can help them pursue careers in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, data science, and more.

One of the key benefits of attending the IntoTech programme is the opportunity to develop practical digital skills while gaining exposure to the fast-growing technology sector. Students not only enhance their technical abilities but also build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers. The programme connects young people with industry leaders, providing networking opportunities and career guidance that can help them take their first steps toward a future in tech.

A central focus of IntoTech is to inspire more young women to explore careers in technology and to challenge gender stereotypes in the industry. Women remain underrepresented in tech-related fields, and this programme seeks to break down barriers by showcasing female role models, providing mentorship opportunities, and fostering an inclusive learning environment. By encouraging diversity and empowering young women to see themselves as future tech leaders, IntoTech plays a crucial role in shaping a more equitable and innovative technology workforce.

The IntoTech programme, now in its pilot year, is an exciting initiative by Speakers for Schools aimed at inspiring Year 10 girls to explore careers in technology. The programme is designed to break down gender barriers in the tech industry by providing young women with hands-on experiences, mentorship, and direct exposure to leading technology companies. Through engaging activities and real-world insights, IntoTech empowers students with the skills and confidence to pursue future opportunities in digital and tech-related fields.

A key feature of the programme is the Insight Day, a unique opportunity for students to spend time with top industry professionals and gain first-hand experience of what it’s like to work in tech. During an Insight Day, students visit a company, participate in interactive sessions, and hear from experts about career pathways, workplace culture, and the latest innovations shaping the industry. This immersive experience helps students understand the different roles available in technology and provides valuable networking opportunities.

As part of the IntoTech pilot, Year 10 girls have the opportunity to attend three Insight Days, each offering a different perspective on careers in technology and digital industries: 

1. Spotify Insight Day – A behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading music streaming platforms. Students will learn about the various tech roles within Spotify, discover how cutting-edge technology powers digital entertainment, and hear from professionals working in the industry. More details about this opportunity can be found here. 

2. Technical Theatre Careers Insight Day – This experience focuses on the technology behind theatre productions, showcasing how lighting, sound, and stage design come together to create world-class performances. Students will gain insight into the exciting career opportunities in technical theatre, an industry that blends creativity with innovation. More details can be found here. 

3. Jackson Civil Engineering: Harvesting Technology for Success – A fascinating look into how technology is revolutionising civil engineering. Students will explore how digital tools, data analytics, and automation are shaping the future of infrastructure projects. This Insight Day will provide a hands-on experience with innovative engineering technology and highlight career opportunities within the field. More details can be found here. 

By offering these diverse experiences, the IntoTech programme helps students discover the vast range of careers that rely on technology, from digital entertainment to creative industries and engineering innovation. With initiatives like IntoTech, Speakers for Schools is committed to making the technology sector more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that the next generation of female tech leaders has the support and inspiration they need to thrive. 

Experiences of workplaces

Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks. 

Science and Industry Museum Manchester - Workplace Safari: Creative, Culture, Media & Sport

Year 9 pupils participated in an engaging workplace safari at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, offering them a unique glimpse into various career paths within the museum sector. Throughout the day, museum staff introduced themselves and shared insights into their roles, highlighting the diverse opportunities available. They discussed their specific positions at the museum, detailing the responsibilities and daily tasks involved. Additionally, the staff members elaborated on their educational journeys, explaining how their academic backgrounds and professional experiences led them to their current roles. This Q and A experience provided the pupils with valuable knowledge about potential career trajectories and the importance of education in achieving their professional goals. 

The next activity featured the museum curator, who provided an in-depth look into his role and responsibilities. He explained how he oversees the acquisition, care, and exhibition of the museum's collections, ensuring that each item is preserved and presented in a way that educates and inspires visitors. After this informative session, the pupils had the chance to step into the curator’s shoes. They were given a selection of different items and tasked with choosing one or more to display in the museum. Each group had to justify their choices, considering factors such as historical significance, educational value, and public interest. This hands-on exercise allowed the pupils to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills, gaining a practical understanding of the curator’s important role in shaping museum exhibitions. 

This visit reflects our school’s commitment to fostering curiosity and ambition among our students, aligning closely with our curriculum intent to prepare them for future success. By experiencing real-world workplaces and engaging with professionals, pupils are able to connect their classroom learning to practical applications, inspiring them to think creatively about their own career aspirations.

Such initiatives are integral to equipping our pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their futures. The Manchester Science and Industry Museum experience has left a lasting impression, empowering our Year 9 students to envision exciting possibilities for their personal and professional growth.

Below are two videos about the importance of a workplace safari visit from a pupil / school perspective and the employer.

Hackathon at Microsoft / UA92

Fifteen of our talented Year 9 pupils recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a hackathon organised by Microsoft and UA92. This unique event combined the exciting challenges of design thinking and artificial intelligence, focusing on teamwork, creativity, and collaboration. Guided by Microsoft’s User Experience and Change Management experts and supported by UA92 staff, pupils gained valuable insights into innovative problem-solving and the possibilities offered by higher education.

The challenge was to design an app to support Manchester’s homeless population in accessing vital services, culminating in a high-energy Dragon’s Den-style presentation. Our pupils impressed the judges with their creative ideas, thoughtful design, and confident delivery, earning a "Highly Commended" finish. Their efforts not only highlighted their ingenuity but also demonstrated a deep understanding of using technology to address real-world issues. The resulting artwork from the event will be displayed in Manchester city centre, celebrating their incredible achievements and showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact.

Accrington Eco-Station

A group of our year 10 students caught the train from Hindley to Accrington Eco-Station to have a talk on careers in the rail industry including the wide ranging apprenticeships available and a talk about careers in the British Transport Police.

They looked at the features of this first eco-station in the country, coming up with designs for eco-stations and towns.

Catering Insight Day at Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospital

15 of our year 10 Hospitality & Catering pupils attended a catering insight day at the NHS hospital. This day helped to raise awareness of catering careers within the NHS as well as allowing our pupils to participate in masterclasses around key issues such as food hygiene and allergens, as well as hands on activities such as piping skills and also hearing from a variety of NHS catering professionals. This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils interested in catering as a career. 

National Apprenticeship and Education Event

Year 10 pupils attended the National Apprenticeship Event at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on the 19th March. The event was aimed at pupils in year 10 to find out more about apprenticeships at all levels as well as the educational pathways available to them. The event welcomed educators and exhibitors from across the North Region including Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside. With over 50+ exhibitors at the event it provided our pupils with the perfect opportunity to talk to prospective companies about future career possibilities. 

50 Careers in One Day Event

Year 9 pupils attended the 50 Careers in One Day Event at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on the 07th March. 

Building Our Skills is hosted by the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing Industry and showcased over 50 careers in 11 jobs families; from Marketing to Green Skills, Finance to Logistics and IT to Manufacturing and many more. This industry is facing severe skills shortages across a number of roles, so offers fantastic opportunities for future careers for young people in Greater Manchester.

Opportunities in the industry cover the full spectrum of skills and career ambitions, and the aim of the fair was to give attendees the opportunity to speak to people in each of the 50 roles being promoted, and to find out more about the career paths that might be of interest to them. The roles being showcased cover everything from manufacturing to sales, marketing to accountancy, Quality Control to Customer Service, Technical Design to Graphic Design, Working in an Environmental Recycling Business, IT, Warehousing and Distribution, Social Media and much more. 

Pupils saw how to start their careers in a role that interests them and how they can progress through gaining experience, undertaking training and achieving industry relevant qualifications. Teams from the industry were also available to talk about apprenticeships, CV writing and to provide interview tips!

Wigan Council Planning Department

13 year 10 GCSE Geography students visited Wigan Council's Life Centre South as part of their careers education and GCSE Geography curriculum. The workplace visit was hosted by the Nick Clarke Service Manager Planning and Transport Policy. 

The visit was for 90 minutes and involved a short presentation about the role of the planning department in Wigan and future plans for the borough. This was then followed by 15 minutes presentations from a range of people on different areas of work (sustainability/ transport/admin) and  different career / qualifications paths (apprenticeships / university) , and then a short presentation from the Aspiring Futures team about what happens next, with Question and Answer opportunities throughout.  

At the end of the visit we walked through the offices so we could see a real workplace and the hive activity going on.