A Twickenham state school is seeking former students who can inspire the current generation to academic success and career confidence.

Orleans Park School in Richmond Road is one of 400 state secondaries and colleges across Britain working with the education charity Future First to harness the talents and experience of alumni to support current students through ‘old school tie’ networks.

The school wants to contact former students in established careers and recent leavers in further education, 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 180,000 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.

Ms Elaine Ball, Headteacher, said,“We are excited about the opportunity to engage our extensive alumni in the local area with all of our current students, and to be able to learn more about the different paths our students take when they leave us. We hope that our alumni can provide support to our students in the coming years so that they can live up to our school motto of ‘Be the best you can be.’ ”

Christine Gilbert, Executive Chair of Future First and a former Ofsted Chief Inspector, said, “Every state school student should have the opportunity to succeed in life after school, regardless of their background. If students see ‘people like me’ have succeeded, they are more likely to believe they can too. They work harder and have higher expectations of success. We want more schools to see the benefits of using their alumni as a powerful resource.”

Charlie Cahill, Head of Sixth Form, is waiting to hear from former students on CCahill@orleanspark.school. Former students can also register with Future First by clicking the “For former students” link on the website www.futurefirst.org.uk.

Other state schools or colleges wishing to register with Future First should click the “For Schools and Colleges” link.

For further information about Future First, visit www.futurefirst.org.uk, contact Press Officer Sue Crabtree on  sue@futurefirst.org.uk, Senior Communications Officer Anna Darling on anna@futurefirst.org.uk or call one of the team on 0207 239 8933. 

Article supplied by Sue Crabtree