GSAL Futures Conference

The Grammar School at Leeds held a Futures Conference for Y10 and 12 students from GSAL and partner schools. It involved 50 speakers representing various sectors and professions and aimed to inform and inspire students about their future careers and the skills employers look for.

Aims

·         To inspire and inform GSAL students of potential careers and pathways and help them develop the skills required to succeed.

·         To inspire and inform students in partner schools of potential careers and pathways and the skills required to get there as part of GSAL’s school outreach programme.

·         To provide an engagement opportunity for targeted alumni, parents and other potential donors, to engage with the school and its students.

·         To provide added value to GSAL’s educational provision beyond the classroom.

·         To contribute to GSAL careers provision by increasing opportunities for pupils to have contact with employers and employees.

·         To enhance staff understanding of the rapidly changing economy and labour market.

·         To raise awareness amongst staff of the benefit of alumni engagement on teaching and learning.

Background

This is the third conference of its type. It came about as a way of further developing the school's careers provision, increasing engagement opportunities with alumni and enabling them to 'give back' to the school and the wider Leeds community of schools. As a result of the pandemic the scope for such an event broadened so sessions can include alumni speaking remotely, sessions were recorded and shared as careers resources with partner schools.  Skills sessions are now also included. Students can choose which sessions they attend giving them a personalised timetable based on their interests.

Resources

50+ speakers from the alumni and parent community.

30+ teaching staff to host the sessions.

Videographer to film and edit recordings.

5 members of the external relations team to organise and run the event.

Support from the school's SLT, catering team, technical staff, IT team and parent association.

Impact

Shared resources with five partner schools.

One school attended. Qualitative feedback from Cardinal Heenan was very positive.

“We’re committed to having a positive impact on young people’s lives in Leeds beyond our school gates and sharing the first-hand experiences of our alumni. We’re delighted that students from Cardinal Heenan were able to be with us” said the Principal at GSAL. “We know that many more will benefit from the wisdom and advice shared via the recordings for some time to come.”

the careers coordinator at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Leeds, said “Our students fully enjoyed the event at GSAL learning about potential future careers from inspirational speakers. Many thanks for the invite and warm welcome from GSAL.”

Pupil Involvement

Year 10, 11 and 12 students.

200 - Y10 from GSAL (independent)

20 - Y10 and 11 students from Cardinal Heenan

Shared recordings with 200+ students in other partner schools (non-independent)

Frequency

Annual event. Will be repeated next year.