Thought of the week:
The Personal Development Curriculum is also embedded into the 12 week intensive skills training via the ‘Thought of the week’.
The ‘thought of the week’ provides an opportunity for apprentices to learn about a wide variety of topics, all of which enhance their personal development and are delivered by different members of the core team, depending on specialism and experience. The session lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and takes a variety of forms including presentations, workshops, discussions, videos, podcasts and tasks, depending on the material to be delivered.
Here are the main themes explored during these sessions on a sequential basis, to embed prior learning and provide key updates:
Safeguarding
Extra-curricular & alumni opportunities
British values
Careers Information And Guidance (CIAG)
This structure is followed across the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms but the resources are updated accordingly based on current needs and risks. The ‘thought of the week’ sessions are integrated into the FAC 12 week core training curriculum.
N/B Thought of the Week is front-ended to leave time in the final 2 weeks of the programme for apprentices to focus on their final projects and presentations, when the workload may increase.
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0 | Safeguarding and Prevent | - Outline different types of abuse
- Outline categories of extremism and push/pull factors for radicalisation
- Provide information and stats on Incel culture
- Get learners to reflect on different safeguarding scenarios
- Outline general safety practises
- Provide safeguarding concerns process |
| Anna | 16/5/24 |
| 0 | FAC and British Values |
- To understand the connection between FAC and British values and explore what they mean in practice as a software developer | | Anna | 16/5/24 |
| 0 | Healthy Relationships and Giving Feedback Effectively | - To understand how to establish healthy personal and professional relationships and to identify best working practices
To create/share their Manuals of Me
To understand how to give and receive feedback
To deliver feedback with each other | https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dMAo6ZD0QuHULKjH9yH3fbSp9oWqUKAR-m964b2V-vI/edit?usp=sharingk | Anna | 16/5/24 |
| 1 | Psychological safety | - To understand FAC values and the culture of psychological safety we seek to embed and Safeguarding Quiz. | | Tavie | 23/5/24 |
| 2 | Misinformation, Disinformation and the threat to Democracy | - To explore how conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation are a potential threat to democracy and possible solutions | | Tavie | 30/5/24 |
| 3 | Extra-curricular and learning opportunities | -To understand the wide range of extra-curricular and learning opportunities over the course of the FAC apprenticeship and how to take part
- To share thoughts and findings from learning opportunities completed and discuss with other apprentices | https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1V3JDk5_qO2xM9_2fBMWeZuf4UCgIZFIgZ3l8hrX76Hc/edit#slide=id.g25e05124422_0_0 | Shaughn (slides to be updated) | 6/6/24 |
| 4 | CIAG - Career paths and freelance work | To understand the broad range of career paths available to apprentices after completing the L4 programmes in both front and back end roles.
- To learn about freelance opportunities to boost CVs and increase sector experience
- To understand the options available after completing the L4 programmes in terms of higher education and further study | https://www.notion.so/foundersandcoders/Professional-progression-CIAG-7a3c713bf582457fb0f7d5717df8aff4 | Tavie | 13/6/24 |
| 5 | Safeguarding - Digital and financial wellbeing | To understand the importance of taking steps to promote digital and financial wellbeing and how this can be done effectively while completing the apprenticeship | | Tavie | 20/6/24 |
| 6 | Diversity in Tech | To learn about the current power imbalances in the technology sector and understand the part we can play in promoting diversity | | Tavie | 27/6/24 |
| 7 | Extra-curricular and learning opportunities | -To understand the wide range of extra-curricular and learning opportunities over the course of the FAC apprenticeship and how to take part
-To share thoughts and findings from learning opportunities completed and discuss with other apprentices | | Shaughn (slides to be updated | 4/7/24 |
| 8 | CIAG - Digital Identity and Online Presence | - To learn about how the current debate surrounding digital identities and looking to future solutions
- To consider personal online presence and embrace the array of networking opportunities available
- To understand best practice for using platforms such as LinkedIn | | Ben | 11/7/24 |
| 9 | Extra-curricular and learning opportunities | -To understand the wide range of extra-curricular and learning opportunities over the course of the FAC apprenticeship and how to take part
-To share thoughts and findings from learning opportunities completed and discuss with other apprentices
- To understand individual strengths and weaknesses and make a plan for the remainder of the course that addresses these | https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVNPycYro=/ | Shaughn | 18/7/24 |
| 10 | CIAG - Presentation Feedback | - All learners receive group feedback from their presentations for the IHP, including strengths and areas for development before the TFB presentation
- To practice how to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders | | Tavie | 25/7/24 |
Learners continue to receive Safeguarding and Prevent updates via our Discord channels: ‘Local risks’ and receive monthly newsletters from the Community Lead to stay up to date with any activities or events taking place