But…what is a SuperSquad?
A practical, paid work experience programme where teens engage with real business and societal challenges.
In early 2025, Startup Sherpas launched the SuperSquad + School Sherpas programme in partnership with Accenture UK & Ireland and HM Revenue & Customs.
This bold new initiative set out to bridge the gap between education and real-world experience, equipping corporate volunteers to deliver in-school workshops that build skills, spark ambition, and connect classroom learning to meaningful work.
It complements the core SuperSquad programme, expanding its reach and impact inside school walls.
While the SuperSquad programme gave students hands-on work experience outside school hours, there was a clear opportunity to reinforce those skills inside the classroom.
Additionally, many organisations struggle to effectively utilise their volunteer days for meaningful community engagement.
School Sherpas answered both needs: offering a structured, high-impact way for professionals to engage with young people while strengthening students’ confidence, communication, and real-world readiness.
The volunteers facilitated six in-school sessions over six months, focusing on:
The SuperSquad+ School Sherpas programme successfully demonstrated how corporate volunteer days could be harnessed to deliver meaningful educational experiences. By equipping volunteers with the necessary tools and training, the programme not only enhanced students’ skills but also provided a scalable model for future collaborations between businesses and schools.
Students appreciated getting to know the volunteers over time, which helped build genuine relationships rooted in trust.
Volunteers described the experience as deeply rewarding—highlighting how multiple sessions with the same students not only enhanced the impact but also grew their own confidence each time they returned to the classroom.
Schools spoke highly of the volunteers’ time and commitment, recognising that simply showing up, consistently and authentically, made a lasting difference.
For many young people, particularly those without much academic support at home, having an adult take real interest in their ideas and progress was both powerful and motivating.
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Contains a detailed overview of the programmes and a bid support appendix
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