Our futuremakers programme
“Our pupils don’t need handouts; they don’t need bigger dreams. They need doors opening so they can step through them.” – Steven Worthington, Headteacher, Dean Trust Ardwick
Digital skills and industry certifications
In a world where 82% of jobs now require digital skills, Futuremakers prepares pupils not just to participate, but to thrive. Our digital skills pathway gives every learner access to world-class training and recognised industry certifications – levelling the playing field for young people who may otherwise be shut out of the tech economy.
Through partners such as Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, and LPI, pupils gain hands-on experience, complete micro-credentials, and build digital portfolios that strengthen their post-16 and early career opportunities.
This is more than learning software. It is about building confidence, capability, and belief — empowering the next generation to see themselves as problem solvers, creators, innovators, and future leaders.
Entrepreneurship and personal branding
We help young people develop the mindset, creativity, and self-belief they need to shape their own futures. Through workshops, coaching, and real-world challenges, pupils learn to pitch ideas, solve problems, build their personal brand, and present themselves with confidence and authenticity.
From business leaders, founders, and industry mentors, pupils learn the essentials of entrepreneurship: curiosity, resilience, storytelling, teamwork, and the importance of knowing who you are and what you stand for.
Every session is designed to help pupils lift their eyes to the horizon — and recognise that they have something valuable to contribute to the world.
Industry immersion and real connections
Opportunity grows when young people can see it, feel it, and step into it. Our industry immersion programme gives pupils a front-row seat to the real world of work through site visits, masterclasses, live employer briefs, and one-week challenge sprints with leading organisations.
Visits to partners such as UA92, Microsoft, Hilton, John Lewis, Network Rail, The FA, Softcat, ANS and others help pupils build networks, unlock interests, and understand what careers look like from the inside.
These experiences don’t just build knowledge — they build aspiration, belonging, and social mobility. They help pupils realise: “People like me can be here too.”
Mentoring, enrichment and wellbeing support
Young people thrive when they feel supported, seen, and believed in. Futuremakers combines academic enrichment with mentoring, leadership coaching, physical challenges, and character development — all designed to strengthen resilience and wellbeing throughout the journey.
Pupils engage with mentors from across sectors, participate in enrichment activities linked to the Mountain Mindset, and take part in structured reflection to build self-awareness and confidence.
Wellbeing is woven into the fabric of the programme, ensuring pupils feel safe, supported, and centred as they grow into future-ready young adults.
Wraparound care, first aid and mental health
Every Futuremaker receives essential life skills and wellbeing training delivered as a core part of the programme, in partnership with the Oliver Cookson Foundation. This includes:
First Aid essentials: CPR, use of a defibrillator, and emergency response
Mental health awareness: recognising stress, supporting peers, and building coping strategies
This wraparound support ensures young people develop not only academic and career readiness, but personal and emotional readiness too. It reinforces a powerful message at the heart of DRSF: you matter, your wellbeing matters, and the world needs the best of you — healthy, hopeful, and confident.
