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Great Britain’s climate and hopes for success in the Tennis Championships weren’t the only things on the up in Wimbledon last week! On Thursday, as temperatures soared to a record breaking 35 degrees and rising British sports star Heather Watson battled it out with Serena Williams, 45 students spent the day raising their aspirations at Kings College School on a Future Foundations’ Aspirations programme.

The annual Higher Education ‘Aspirations’ day this year united Year 12 students from 3 out of of 7 schools in the Wimbledon Schools PartnershipRaynes Park High School, St Marks Academy in Mitcham and Kings College Maths School for a full day of activities and workshops to increase their appreciation and ambitions for Higher Education, build confidence and motivation, teamwork and goal setting skills.

The programme was Course Directed by Simone Vincenzi and our Future Foundations coaches were Chetna Bhatt, Mark Corbett, Mandy Tang, Elizabeth Annor-Agyei, Jakub Goscinny and John Paul Metcalfe.

The aims of the Year 12 Aspirations programme were to:

  • Build students’ self-belief and confidence
  • Help students see the importance of aiming high
  • Increase students’ awareness of student life, finance and the UCAS application process
  • Encourage the students to think about what personal success means for them and set SMART goals for the coming year
  • Provide an opportunity for students to meet Kings College School Alumni, explore subject choices and careers options in greater detail

The day consisted of a mix of whole group plenaries, carousel/speed networking, workshops and games in teams, combining students from three different schools to stretch them beyond their comfort zone. The students rose to the challenge admirably and the day was dynamic with a fun, open and honest atmosphere, supported by Future Foundations coaches.

A highlight was the ‘Toxic Dump’ challenge where students learned that in order to succeed in life you must be prepared to adapt your plan and stay motivated, bouncing back and trying again when one approach doesn’t work!

Wimbledon School's Partnerships

The Wimbledon Independent-State School Partnership was created in 2003 and comprises the Coombe Schools, Ursuline, Ricards Lodge and Raynes Park High Schools, Grey Court School, St Mark’s Church of England Academy, King’s and their seven sixth forms. The partnership comprises a number of collaborative programmes, ranging from teacher training to taught after-school revision classes for GCSE students, societies and subject-extension classes for Sixth-formers.

King’s most ambitious arrangement with the partner schools is the unique Aspirations Project, supported by Future Foundations, in which a cohort of around ten pupils in Year 9 are selected annually from each of the partner schools to experience a two-year programme of sessions designed to increase their ambitions and stretch their educational horizons. These include lessons taught by King’s staff, excursions to theatres and King’s College University London. The project culminates in year 12 with the Aspirations Day, delivered by Future Foundations, which deals with student finance, choosing the right university and giving students final momentum for success in their A2 exams.

Amazing! I gained further knowledge on University and met successful people who provided me with links to future employment.

Student, 2015

Today has triggered me to really pursue things in the future

Student, 2015

Eye opening. I've learned to live my PASSION as life is short!

Student, 2015

very informative, wide-ranging in knowledge and aspirational

Student 2015

Students have set SMART GOALS for the future

97%

Students feel excited and energised about their future

93%

Students feel inspired to achieve their full potential

95%

Students rated the programme 4 - 5 out of 5

93%

 

To book a Future Foundations Programme, CLICK HERE!