TRADITIONALLY the preserve of pupils in the private sector the old school tie network is coming to a comprehensive near you.

 

A Glasgow secondary school has become the first in Scotland to join an initiative which aims to inspire state school pupils by creating a network of former students.

St Andrew's Secondary School, in Carntyne, has signed up with the education charity Future First which runs the unique scheme to harness the talents and experience of alumni.

Already adopted in more than 400 state schools and colleges across the rest of the UK, Future First hope the pilot in St Andrew's will be the first of many similar schemes in schools across Scotland.

Gerry Lyons, headteacher at St Andrew's Secondary, said the school had already held an event with former pupils Stacey Vickers, who is now studying for a Masters at Glasgow University, Sharon White, a doctor specialising in diabetes, and Dundee radio presenter Chris Duke.

He said: "It's great for young people to learn about what their predecessors at the school have achieved and be inspired by that. Former pupils have gone on to become doctors or do well in business, among many other things.

"Listening to what they have to say will help current pupils make the right choices when looking at their own career options. The programme highlights the fact that you can achieve great things coming from this school and that's a strong message for young people to hear when they are considering their futures."

Mr Duke said: "The day was fantastic. Personally, it was great being back at my old school, but being able to help the next batch of young people make such an important decision in their life was just incredible. It's a great project that I wish we had when we were younger."

St Andrew's now wants to hear from other former students who can support the current generation as career and education role models, work experience providers, mentors, governors, fundraisers and donors.

Alex Shapland-Howes, managing director of Future First, said: "More than 39 per cent of state school students don't know anyone in a job they'd like to do.

"If they see that someone who went to the same school and grew up in the same community has achieved a fulfilling and satisfying job it helps them see it's possible for them too.

"It's really important for all students to be motivated to succeed in the working world and hearing first hand from relatable people in interesting jobs can make a huge difference."

While private schools and universities have harnessed the talents of former students for generations, Future First is the only organisation embedding alumni networks in the state sector.

More than 100,000 former students across the UK have already signed up to stay connected with their old state school or college. They range from professionals in law, banking and medicine to those in vocations like plumbing, catering and photography.

Yasmin Butt, head of marketing at the banking firm Shawbrook Bank, which is supporting the scheme, said: "We appreciate how important it is for students to explore their career options and bringing together former and current students creates a real sense of cohesion as well as the opportunity to share and discuss their experiences and successes."

Margaret McCoull, partnerships officer at St Andrew's is now available to hear from former St Andrew's students on MMcCoull@st-andrews-sec.glasgow.sch.uk.

Former students can also sign up to Future First's alumni scheme by visiting www.futurefirst.org.uk and clicking on the "Former Students" link. Teachers wishing to sign up another school to Future First should click the "Schools and Colleges staff" link.