Empowering students with essential life & employability skills
Employability and life skills are just as crucial as academic qualifications, yet 96% of teachers agree that schools struggle to teach them effectively due to limited time and resources.
Our Skills for Life programme equips students with essential employability skills, confidence, and motivation through tailored workshops, mentoring, and leadership qualifications.
Aligned with key Ofsted assessment areas, including Quality of Education, Behaviour & Attitudes, and Personal Development, this programme helps students stay engaged in learning while building the skills and confidence to succeed beyond school.
OUR SERVICES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO INCREASE ATTAINMENT, ATTENDANCE, POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR, ENGAGEMENT AND ASPIRATIONS
Why employability skills matter for your school
When young people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of direction, they’re more engaged in learning, and their academic performance, behaviour, and well-being improve. Our Skills for Life programme helps schools:
- Boost student attainment, behaviour, and engagement
- Develop positive mindsets and improve wellbeing
- Equip students with the confidence and skills to plan their future
This programme is designed to support key Ofsted assessment areas.
Tailored support to help students thrive
As the leading sport-for-employment charity in the West Midlands, Sport for Life helps secondary schools equip students with the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed. The Skills for Life programme enhances student development by combining mentoring, employability skills, and leadership training—building resilience, motivation, and essential life skills for their future.
Employability Skills: Preparing students for their future
We make preparing for the world of work simple, engaging, and practical – equipping students with soft skills, confidence, resilience and financial knowledge they need for their future. Our hands-on workshops cover essential employability skills, including:
- CV writing
- Interview techniques & mock interviews
- Workplace communication & professionalism
With 84% of young people wanting more financial education in schools, our workshops go beyond employability, covering budgeting, earning money, and achieving key life milestones like buying a home – ensuring students gain the practical skills they need for life, not just for work.
Mentoring: One-to-one support for students
Some students face challenges that make it harder to thrive, whether struggling with attendance, confidence, behaviour or focus due to external pressures. Others may have more complex needs, including behavioural, social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) issues.
Our Youth Mentors provide personalised, one-to-one guidance, helping students overcome barriers, build confidence, and develop key life skills.
Every mentor is fully trained in Level 3 Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) and Mental Health First Aid, ensuring students receive expert support. Through bespoke action plans, they help young people improve their well-being and unlock new opportunities for their future.
Qualifications: Active learning with sports or dance leadership
As part of the Skills for Life programme, students can achieve a recognised Sports or Dance Leadership Qualification, an accredited award that develops leadership, communication, teamwork, and organisational skills—essential for further education, apprenticeships, and employment.
Through practical, hands-on learning, students gain confidence, problem-solving abilities, and experience in leading others.
These qualifications also support Ofsted’s Personal Development framework, helping schools equip students with the skills and experiences needed for success beyond the classroom.
AWARD-WINNING SERVICES TO PREPARE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE WORLD OF WORK
Proven impact: Helping students & schools succeed
At Sport 4 Life, we have a strong track record of delivering results for schools and students across the West Midlands. We’ve partnered with over 50 schools, supporting over 1,500 pupils in the West Midlands. In that time:
- 60% of students improved attainment
- 53% of students improved their attendance
- 64% of students improved their behaviour and engagement in lessons
- 88.5% of students improved at least one of the above
Our commitment to educational excellence was recognised when we were named Midlands Educational Resource Provider of the Year at the Education Awards 2023.
How Skills for Life supports Ofsted priorities
Our Skills for Life programme helps students grow beyond academics, developing essential life skills to prepare for their future. Our mentoring and workshops are designed to align with Ofsted’s focus on developing well-rounded individuals.
Quality of Education – Structured employability and life skills workshops that complement the curriculum and enhance students’ broader learning.
Behaviour & Attitudes – Helping students build motivation, resilience, and confidence, leading to improved attendance, engagement, and behaviour..
Personal Development – Providing mentoring and leadership opportunities that equip students with practical skills, aspirations, and career confidence.
GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE THE CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO MOVE INTO SUSTAINED EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT OR TRAINING
Support packages and pricing
We are committed to helping young people move into sustained employment, education, and training. Through a combination of one-to-one mentoring, employability skills workshops, leadership qualifications, and employer engagement, we equip students with the confidence, skills, and experiences they need for the future.
Download our support packages & pricing to see how we can support your students.
Register your school
How we help
Mentoring
Our mentors work on a one-to-one basis to provide support, assistance, encouragement and inspiration during and following our programmes.
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Employability skills
Get job ready! Get support with CV writing, interview techniques and tips, career pathway advice, and mock interviews.
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Qualifications
Level up and improve your chances of moving into further education and employment with the help of our online and in-person courses and qualifications.
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Sports sessions
Our sports sessions support young people to stay active, develop life skills and meet new people.
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We want to give every young person we work with the chance to make a positive change in their lives
“I’m really glad that Sport 4 Life UK didn't give up on me. I really appreciate the support they gave me. It has motivated me to do better and be a better person.”
Hazel Robinson, aged 13
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