Empower
- Years 7 to 9
- Once a year, Gloucestershire
A free day of hands-on activities with several tech employers in one place. There are sessions for girls only, for students with SEND, and mixed groups. Any school can book.
Tech opportunities for all
TechFirst for Schools and Colleges is a national programme funded by UK Government, bringing tech skills, AI confidence and career inspiration to students across the South West.
Bring TechFirst to your school or college
Help to provide free access to technology enrichment, employer engagement and digital careers opportunities for your students and your teaching setting.
For teachers and education leaders
Whatever your role, the team can help you explore opportunities for your students.
How TechFirst can support your students
Engaging with TechFirst connects you with enrichment and careers opportunities that complement classroom learning.
Benefits to your students
Build skills and confidence
Give students opportunities to try technology, explore AI and apply their learning beyond the classroom.
Make careers feel real
Connect students with employers and role models who can bring technology careers to life and broaden their aspirations.
Strengthen your enrichment
Access activities, challenges and resources, with a regional team to help you explore opportunities that fit your school or college.
A flavour of what's included
- Technology and computing enrichment activities
- Careers inspiration and employer engagement
- Exploring emerging technologies, including AI
- National competitions and challenges
- Online learning resources
- Government certification and recognition
Free activities for your school or college
Everything below is free. Our partners also run local activities linked to employers near you, and we can plan something around your school or college’s needs.
Hands-on days
Bring students to a day where they try technology for themselves.
Horizons
- Years 7 to 11
- Once a year, across the South West
A free day of hands-on activities with employers. Younger students get ideas before choosing options. Older students see the different routes into tech jobs.
Meet people in tech
Work experience, talks and online chats that connect students with real people in tech.
Checkpoint
- Students who attended Empower or Horizons
- A few online sessions a year
Short online follow-up sessions after Empower or Horizons, so students remember what they learned on the day.
Ignite
- Years 10 to 13
- One week a year, across the South West
A week of work experience with a different employer each day. We organise and host it, so there is nothing for your school to arrange.
Tech Lectures
- Years 12 and 13
- Once a year, across the South West
A free in-person lecture on a big new topic in tech, for sixth form computing and similar subjects. It focuses on the topic, not careers.
Launchpad
- Years 10 to 13
- Three webinars, winter and spring
Online talks and Q&As with students and apprentices who have just made their post-16 or post-18 choices. Run with support from AAN.
Switchboard
- Schools, colleges and employers
- Available all year
An online noticeboard where employers post placements, trips and resources. Book single visits or tasks that fit your timetable, without committing to a full week.
I’m a Computer Scientist
- Students aged 8 to 18
- Available all year
A moderated, text-only question-and-answer platform for your class. In a 30-minute session run in lesson time, your students put their own questions to up to 40 people working in tech. Ideal if you are far from in-person events.
Teachers: sign up to take partFounders’ Forge SW
- Years 10 to 13, small groups
- Available all year
One-to-one support from successful founders for students building their own product. For a small number of keen young entrepreneurs.
Support for teachers
Ready-made resources, training and teacher networks.
Circuit
- Teachers of Years 7 to 11
- Available all year
Free lesson plans, activities and resources made by industry experts for you to teach in class. Download them any time if your school is accredited.
Fusion
- Computing teachers
- Once a year
Training that lasts beyond one day. Spend a day with an employer, then they spend half a day in your school helping you use what you learned.
Connect
- Teachers
- Once a term, online
Local online meetups to share ideas, hear from employers and get help with accreditation. Usually led by a Gold-awarded school near you.
Catalyst
- Schools without a specialist computing teacher
- Ongoing
Extra support if you don’t have a specialist computing teacher, based on what teachers tell us they need. Led by local Gold-awarded teachers or our team.
Ecosystem Conference
- Teachers, employers and outreach providers
- Twice a year
A regional event to share ideas, get updates and hear about new offers from employers, universities and other providers. Catch up on everything in one place.
Request a TechFirst Ambassador for your school
TechFirst Ambassadors are people working in technology and science who volunteer to visit schools and colleges. They share what their jobs are really like and help students see where their lessons can lead.
They come through the national STEM Ambassador programme, so every Ambassador has had safeguarding training and a DBS check. It is free for your school or college, and you tell us what you need.
- Classroom or assembly talks
- Support for careers events
- Practical, hands-on activities
How to make a request
- 1
Create a free educator account on the STEM Ambassador portal.
- 2
Log in and open the ‘Ambassadors’ tab.
- 3
Choose ‘Create an Activity’, outline what you need, then submit.
Allow at least six weeks. The TechFirst team at Graphic Science finds suitable volunteers, but as they give their time freely, support cannot always be guaranteed.
Ask a questionUpcoming events
Upcoming event details will be released soon.
Hear from our schools
“As a University Technical College, everything we do revolves around creating opportunities for students to thrive. A key focus is engaging them in employer-led tasks during project days, which are an essential part of our approach to blending education with real-world experience. I have been part of the program from the start, and it's been amazing to see its impact. Engaging with employers, hosting exciting events, and running interactive programs have been powerful in sparking curiosity and building enthusiasm for computer science and cyber security—both among young people and their parents.”
Gain national recognition
TechFirst Schools Recognition is government certification celebrating the technology enrichment and extracurricular activity your school or college delivers. It gives that commitment a national award, with Bronze, Silver and Gold levels to work towards.
Celebrate your commitment
Show students, families and partners that technology education is a priority.
Give progress a clear direction
Use the criteria to reflect on your provision and identify your next steps.
Build on what you achieve
Renew or progress a level as your enrichment grows, with your regional team's support.
Lasts 18 months
Bronze
A commitment to tech education with at least four activities a year.
View award criteria
- Demonstrates a clear commitment to technology and computing education.
- Has a school technology/computing plan supported by senior leadership.
- Delivers at least 4 high-quality technology and STEM activities each year.
- Activities reach at least one key stage and span at least two subjects.
- Encourages students to explore technology pathways and future careers.
- Computing lead is engaged with the TechFirst platform and programme.
Lasts 2 years
Silver
At least eight activities a year, reaching two key stages and three subjects.
View award criteria
- Technology and computing plans are actively delivered across the school.
- Provides a sustained programme of technology education and enrichment.
- Delivers at least 8 high-quality activities each year.
- Activities reach two or more key stages and cover at least three subjects.
- Supports students to progress into STEM and technology pathways.
- Demonstrates growing student engagement with TechFirst opportunities and safe, responsible use of technology.
Lasts 3 years
Gold
At least twelve activities a year across all key stages, with proven impact and support for other schools.
View award criteria
- Demonstrates exceptional and sustained technology and computing provision.
- Delivers at least 12 high-quality activities each year.
- Activities reach all key stages and span four or more subjects.
- Shows strong impact on participation, progression and outcomes, particularly for under-represented groups.
- Embeds a culture of collaboration, sharing expertise and supporting other schools.
- Acts as a TechFirst leader and multiplier, helping more schools engage with technology education.
Already a CyberFirst school?You are already TechFirst accredited.
Hold NCCE Computing Quality Framework accreditation?Levels 2, 3 and 4 convert to Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Celebrating our accredited schools
Schools and colleges recognised through TechFirst across the South West.
Gold18 schools
- Bridgewater & Taunton College
- Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre
- Cheltenham College
- Cirencester Sixth Form College
- Cirencester Kingshill School
- Cleeve School
- Clifton High School
- Colyton Grammar School
- Dean Close School
- Denmark Road High School
- Gloucestershire College
- Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre
- Pate's Grammar School
- Ribston Hall High School
- SGS Berkeley Green UTC
- South Wilts Grammar School
- Stroud High School
- Wellington School
Silver20 schools
- All Saints Academy
- Badminton School
- Bradley Stoke Community School
- Brimsham Green School
- Bristol Free School
- Bristol Grammar School
- Chew Valley School
- Corfe Hills School
- Farmors School
- Hardenhuish School
- Helston Community College
- New College Swindon
- Parkstone Grammar School
- Rednock School
- Strode College
- The Commonweal School
- The Crypt School
- The King Alfred School and Academy
- Truro and Penwith College
- Winterbourne Academy
Bronze7 schools
- Brannel School
- Broadoak Academy
- Clevedon School
- Downend School
- Redmaids High School
- UTC Swindon
- Wyvern St Edmunds
The path to recognition
Six steps from first contact to accreditation.
- 1
Express interest
Your regional delivery partner is there to help and encourage you.
- 2
Self-assess and gather evidence
Work out which level fits where you are now and pull together evidence against its criteria.
- 3
Submit your application
Apply online to your regional delivery partner via email.
- 4
Assessment
Bronze and Silver applications are reviewed by your regional delivery partner. Gold applications go to an independent panel of three to four people from industry, academia or the third sector.
- 5
Award and badge
Recognised schools can display the TechFirst certificate for their level.
- 6
Renew and progress
Your regional delivery partner supports you to re-certify or move up a level, on a case-by-case basis.