Education Today Education Today Magazine
BBC newsreader and Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce has gone back to school as part of charity Future First’s national campaign to inform state students about the range of fulfilling careers they could pursue in the future.
The presenter returned to her former school, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College in Pepys Road, New Cross, to talk to current students about her career path as statistics show the crucial importance of alumni in motivating state school students to success.
Fiona was accompanied by two school friends Susanna Frein, Communications Director at Harper Collins and Jo Lockwood, Picture Editor at Prima magazine (pictured).
Fiona told the sixth formers that qualifications would get them through the door into their chosen career but, once there, personality and building good working relationships were vital. She urged them to not be shy about putting forward their ideas and asking for opportunities.
Future First Managing Director Alex Shapland-Howes said, “Alumni are invaluable in helping state schools support their students to make that difficult transition between school and work.
“Many schools are already doing this by using their alumni as inspirational relatable role models who know the background of the students, kicked a ball in the same park, may have had the same teachers. If students see people like them with the same background have succeeded, they are more likely to believe they can too.”
For more information on Future First and to sign up to support your old school, visit www.futurefirst.org.uk.