What is Schools Alumni Week?
You may not be aware that the first ever Schools Alumni Week is being held from April 24th to the 28th 2023. It is being launched by Future First, an education charity to highlight the need for pupils to have relatable role models. Firstly, this is a particular focus for children from persistently disadvantaged backgrounds. Many children face several types of barriers which can limit their aspirations and academic life. Future First stated that types of barriers disadvantaged children may experience are:
- a child’s residential location,
- ethnicity
- household income
- being in care
- being a carer
- having additional needs (SEND)
- involvement in the criminal justice system
Disadvantaged children
Sadly, according to research, nearly 50% of disadvantaged children do not know anyone in a job they’d like to do. Consequently, the idea of School Alumni Week is to bring awareness of role models into the curriculum. Additionally, they connect former students from similar backgrounds to pupils. To learn more click here.
Duncan Grant, Development Director of Future First said “A school alumni group is an untapped resource, ready and waiting to strengthen any school community. But many schools lack the knowledge, time or investment strength to develop and sustain one. However, we know that you can’t be what you can’t see, and so our aim is for every state educated pupil, to be able to access this network of relatable role models.”
“As well as a learning gap widened by the pandemic, and a rise in behavioural and attendance challenges, there is also evidence of students’ having a negative outlook on their career prospects. This year, Schools Alumni Week will encourage the development of a group capable of inspiring, motivating and improving confidence, at a time when it is most needed.”
Supply teachers, TAs and school leaders who know us, will be aware of our underlining ethos of creating capacity in the classroom. We give our resources regularly to support projects in communities and schools. You may have read our article on how our CEO continues to be involved in wonderful projects. ‘Stepping into Business’ seeks to inspire young people in the most deprived areas. To read more, please click here.