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Between 13th – 14th July 2015, Future Foundations decamped to Cambridge for our second Bright Futures programme with Wembley High Technology College. Developing on the Bright Futures one day programme we held at Newnham College, Cambridge last month, this was a two day residential experience for 40 of their most able Year 8s.

The programme was designed to raise their awareness of Higher Education by experiencing student life at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge. Young people stayed in University halls of residence, explored the city centres famous landmarks and colleges and expanded their horizons with the constant encouragement and guidance of Future Foundations’ experienced coaches. Over the course of two days they carried out an intensive series of experiential learning sessions and challenges to develop their leadership skills and increase confidence, teamwork and personal aspirations.

The Bright Futures programme was Course Directed by Andy Dunn and our Future Foundations coaches were Mandy Tang, Jakub Goscinny, Elizabeth Annor-Agyei and John Paul Metcalfe.

The aims of the Bright Future programme were to:

  • Enable students to discover what they can study at university, tuition style and student lifestyle.
  • Encourage students to take personal responsibility for their futures; to be proactive in their approach to their studies and the future benefits of doing so.
  • Help the students to understand what it means to be a leader
  • Communicate the importance of leadership and the future leadership needs for society
  • Foster the belief that with gifts/talents come a responsibility to use them for the better of others
  • Open students’ minds to goal setting and equip them with time management skills

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge

Fitzwilliam began in 1869 as a non-collegiate institution, providing Cambridge education to undergraduates who were unable to afford membership of a college. Situated a short walk from the city centre, the College’s buildings span an impressive 200 years of architecture and have won numerous international design awards. Fitzwilliam is now home to around 450 undergraduates, 300 graduate students and 90 fellows

The college has a reputation for inclusion and academic excellence, with former pupils of state schools making up 67% of its first year UK undergraduates in 2014.

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This was an incredible programme to coach, with young people that stepped up to every activity we set them. I led a team of 10 young people, supported by a WHTC teacher and with such small teams it was possible to build real rapport with every student.

I was particularly impressed by the way my group tackled the ‘Cambridge City Challenge’ embracing responsibility, thinking creatively and showing a drive and determination to succeed as a team! They didn’t ‘win’ the activity but learned a more important life lesson that sometimes, despite giving your all you don’t succeed. We had a fantastic reflection about the importance of ‘enjoying the journey’ which led to a positive attitudinal shift!

Whilst clearing up we discovered a post it note on the floor of a room we had been using for feedback. On it a young person had written that the Bright Futures programme made them feel #fearless. This sums up the whole experience for me, I feel truely inspired and moved by the time I spent with these remarkable students…and to those of you reading this I will be reading ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ this Summer – on your recommendation!

Elizabeth Annor-Agyei, Coach

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Future Foundations is an amazing opportunity which has helped me lead a group and have more patience towards other people and listen to other people's ideas

Student, Wembley High Technology College

Personally, future foundations helped me to be more patient and co-operative with my peers. I am also able to communicate and work slowly, but successfully towards my goals

Student, Wembley High Technology College

I feel like a completely new/ transformed person. I now know how to make my life not just about success, but happiness.

Student, Wembley High Technology College

Personally, future foundations helped me to be more patient and co-operative with my peers. I am also able to communicate and work slowly, but successfully towards my goals

Student, Wembley High Technology College

It helped me gain more confidence to speak to people, and I learned to participate

Student, Wembley High Technology College
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Future Foundations has provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to collaborate on many new and exciting opportunities. Despite many of the students in each group not previously having known one another, the team leaders gave them the confidence and skills to work effectively as a cohesive team.

They have noticeably grown in confidence and as an example, one of our students stood up and presented beautifully to the group, who would normally be too shy to put her hand up in lessons. The transition some students have made is remarkable in such a short time, so thank you to the hard-working staff for facilitating this journey.

Joanna Finill, Year 8 Leader, Wembley High Technology College

We had so many obstacles on this programme, but they were nothing compared to the Future Foundations team's commitment and determination to deliver an outstanding programme to these 40 amazing Year 8's. This has been a great and transforming two days for everyone who was involved. Thank you so much.

John Paul Metcalf, Future Foundations Coach

Students feel more confident than they did at the start of the programme

100%

Students feel excited and energised about the future

90%

Students feel inspired to achieve their potential

93%

Students would rate the programme 4-5 out of 5

97%

 

To book a Future Foundations programme, CLICK HERE!

Join the discussion One Comment

  • blank Elizabeth Annor-Agyei says:

    Wembley High, thank you for inspiring me to read more as at the Higher Education day I mentioned that I don’t read enough. Today I finally finished reading ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ as you recommended and it is such a beautifully written book! Now I hope to read more often and I hope you are challenging yourselves to do something you may not necessarily do often.

    ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ On that note, change to routine/habits may be hard, but beneficial and worthwhile.