Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette

School to harness talents of ex-students in bid to motivate

Vyners joins Future First scheme in an attempt to boost pupils’ confidence

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AN Ickenham secondary school is seeking former students who can inspire and motivate the current generation to academic success and career confidence.

Vyners School in Warren Road is one of 400 state schools across Britain working with the education charity Future First to harness the talents and experience of alumni to support today’s students through ‘old school tie’ networks.

The school is keen to contact former students who left recently for further education, as well as those in establishe­d careers and vocations, alumni who live nearby and those who have moved away.

Future First’s vision is that every state school or college should be supported by a thriving, engaged alumni community that helps it to do more for its students.

More than 150,000 former students across Britain have already signed up to stay connected with their old school.

They are inspiring young people as career and education role models, mentors, work experience providers, governors, donors and fundraiser­s.

Vyners head teacher James Heale said: “We have been working hard to establish better links with our alumni in recent years with variable success. We signed up to Future First after seeing the benefits of their work in other schools and we have already been impressed.

“Helping our current students connect with past students will broaden their profession­al networks and open their eyes to the varied job market. We look forward to reestablis­hing links with our alumni and welcoming them back to their school.”

“More than 39 per cent of state school students don’t know anyone in a job they’d like to do,” said Alex Shapland-Howes, managing director of Future First.

“If they see that someone who went to the same school, grew up in the same community and has achieved a fulfilling and satisfying job, it helps them see it’s possible for them too.

“It’s really important for all students to be motivated to succeed in the working world and hearing first hand from relatable people in interestin­g jobs can make a huge difference.”

Assistant head teacher Harshinder Malhi is now waiting to hear from former students on hmalhi@vyners. hillingdon.sch.uk.

Former students can also sign up to Future First’s alumni scheme via the website www. futurefirs­t.org.uk and clicking the ‘former students’ link.

Schools wishing to register with Future First should click the ‘ schools and colleges staff’ link.

 ??  ?? NETWORKING: Vyners School in Ickenham
NETWORKING: Vyners School in Ickenham

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