Connecting Ambition with Opportunity

‘A week is a long time in Politics’ is a quote attributed to Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and based on the last few days, it seems reasonable to suggest that ‘a week is a long time in the Futures Department!’ In the past week, we have enjoyed:

• The Fourth Form Future Leaders Day, attended not only by our entire year group, but over 130 pupils from seven other state school partners. With opportunities to interact with an excellent selection of Shropshire based businesses, whilst also attending a workshop on communication, this activity was a genuine celebration of this beautiful county and raised awareness of the opportunities and skills gaps that companies are looking to fill. (Insert Video).
• Our first ‘Futures Festival’ for the Lower 6^th , a two-day programme of activities and workshops, complimented by an outstanding array of guest speakers. Sessions included personal statement crafting, playing sport at university, mentoring, investing wisely, personal branding, internships, gap year safety, interview preparation, creating a portfolio, routes into law, Oxbridge applications, Degree Apprenticeships, former pupil panel and more, with 45 sessions delivered throughout the event. 
• The launch of a new AI programme, which exactly 50 pupils from the current 5^th Form have enrolled on. Accredited by the Digital Education Futures Initiative, Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, pupils are working through a series of modules themed around the origins of the technology, the fundamentals of how AI works, AI in practice, the risks and ethical issues with AI in society, and the economic impact of AI and the future of work.
• Looking ahead to next week, we conclude a busy term with our annual Careers Fair, where we will welcome in a range of visitors to advise students on future options in both the 5^th Form and Lower 6^th (insert programme?).

A huge part of my role is to encourage pupils to make relevant connections and to embrace opportunities, to support their future planning and insights. It has been an incredibly productive week, and I cannot thank enough the multiple professionals, businesses, colleagues, Old Salopians, and most of all pupils, that have contributed so positively to these recent activities!

Mr Chris Wain, Head of Futures