Bright former students at Twickenham School have pledged to return to run Aspiration Classes as part of the new Elite Alumni programme at the school.

They will take the form of face-to-face and remote sessions giving top tips on A-Levels, degrees and career pathways to inspire their former classmates.

Those who have agreed to take part include students who have left in the last year as well as those at university and have secured prestigious career paths.

Former student Monique Smith, 16, from Twickenham, left with nearly all grade 9s at GCSE last year and is now studying at Tiffin School.

She said: “It was my science teacher in Year 9 who planted the seed in my mind about going to Oxford or Cambridge.

“After seeing the quality of my work, he called up my mum to say I had what it takes to get to one of the top universities. Since then, it has been my goal.

“Teachers having that confidence in you really makes a huge difference and I don’t think I would be where I am today without that teacher taking an interest.

“It is because of that I want to help current students at the school to be ambitious and aspirational for their own futures.

The programme has been introduced by More Able coordinator Kathryn Thackeray to help raise the aspirations of current students at the school. 

She said: “The Elite Alumni programme is a great showcase of the wonderfully bright students that have attended this school in recent years.

“It very rewarding that all of those we have approached to take part have been keen to be involved in the programme and show their gratitude for the support they received while at the school.

“Once we can return to a degree of normality the plan is to get the former students back into school but for now we are planning some online sessions.

"At Twickenham we believe all students are gifted in one area or another and we are proud to nurture this and see our students excel.”

Headteacher Assal Ruse is delighted with this new initiative. She said: “These aspirational classes are for all our students at the school, not just those who excel academically.

“At Twickenham we believe all students are gifted in one area or another and it is our job to harness those talents.”