A Harrow school for students with special needs is asking former students and parents of former students to become part of their alumni community and return to the classroom to inspire pupils to career confidence and success.
Shaftesbury High School in Headstone Lane has joined a programme run by the national education charity Future First which helps schools harness the talents and experience of former pupils and community supporters to motivate the current generation of students.
Under the programme funded by The John Lyons Trust, former students and community supporters will be invited to be part of Shaftesbury High School’s alumni network and have opportunities to return to volunteer at workshops designed to broaden current students’ horizons and confidence in the future.
Future First will work in partnership with Shaftesbury High School to develop a bespoke programme suitable for special schools and build on the charity’s work in more than a thousand state mainstream secondary schools and colleges across Britain.
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 a quarter of a million former students nationwide have already signed up to stay connected with their old school. They’re motivating young people as career and education role models, mentors, work experience providers, governors and fundraisers.
Deborah Stone, Community Engagement Manager, said, ‘We were delighted to have this opportunity to work with Future First. A network of past students with all their valuable experience will be vital in helping us to broaden current students’ jobs horizons and equip them for the world of work.’
Natalie Marshall, Head of Innovation and Learning at Future First, said, ‘Thanks to the generous support of The John Lyons Trust, Future First is delighted to be partnering with Shaftesbury High School to develop our alumni programme in special schools.
Volunteers who can share their careers experience, broaden students’ jobs horizons and act as relatable role models are an integral part of any good school careers curriculum and help inspire and motivate students to success, regardless of their background or ability.’
Former students, parents and community supporters can register with Future First by clicking https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/signup/shaftesbury or contacting Deborah Stone, Community Engagement Manager on 0208 428 2482 or e-mail at adminoffice@shaftesbury.harrow.sch.uk
For more information about Shaftesbury High School, https://www.shaftesbury.harrow.sch.uk/ and #creating pathways.
For further information about Future First, visit www.futurefirst.org.uk, contact Press Officer Sue Crabtree on sue.crabtree@futurefirst.org.uk or call one of the team on 0207 239 8933.
