Programmes for Secondary Schools

Inspire works with all of the mainstream secondary schools in Hackney and provides a range of programmes and services to enrich young people’s education, particularly through helping them to learn about and prepare for the world of work.

We are responsible for the Work Experience programme for 14/15 year olds across the borough and source over 1500 two-week placements each year. We also provide placements for students at local FE Colleges and extended placements for students studying vocational courses or requiring a work-based learning programme as an alternative to full-time school attendance.

We play a key role in helping schools to plan for and deliver the new national requirements for Work-related Learning and Enterprise. With the support of our business partners and employee volunteers who act as advisors and facilitators, we provide a range of activities, often for whole year groups of students, that help young people to develop the skills and understanding that they will need to be successful future employees. These include Enterprise Workshops, Preparation for Work activities and courses, and a service to support teachers in delivering work-related learning or vocational provision through organising Workplace Visits or inviting World of Work Visitors into the classroom.

We provide support for school staff and a number of targeted programmes designed to meet the needs of particular groups of students, particularly those requiring extra support and motivation, or who face barriers to their progression on to education, training or employment after the age of 16.