Unique Events Programme

The Events Programme is part of the Foundation’s core commitment to the extracurricular enrichment of students’ lives. At the heart of this lies the intent that Foundation students are “more well-rounded, and intellectually and creatively nourished, ready to take their places as full citizens”. To facilitate this, in 2024 the Foundation seed-funded a Speakers and Events Programme with £4,000.

Dedicated support

However, support for the programme goes further than mere funding. For the Foundation and the board of trustees, the goal is bringing a wealth of diverse experience to the table as well.

The Foundation’s board lead for this pilot events programme is Avil Calder who coordinates with staff at both schools to invite high profile speakers, and to arrange student trips. Much of the success of the programme lies in having this dedicated support. A former magistrate herself and an expert in child justice, Avril draws on her extensive network to engage excellent speakers.

Interactive law session

Gerald Dowler ran two interactive sessions with flair and enthusiasm, bringing the legal system to life for attentive A Level students at the Boys’ and Girls’ schools respectively.

Not only did Gerald give a comprehensive yet accessible explanation of the courtroom process, he also helped students model and enact the various procedures that magistrates undertake including trying out their sentencing skills on some case studies.

The students' enjoyment was evident from their testimonials; Maliha, a Year 12 student at the Girls’ School wrote in the school’s blog that “[they] were able to get more insight about the types of courts that a magistrate sits in and the sentencing procedure they conduct.”

Meanwhile Ghazel, a Year 12 student at the Boys’ School commented, “It was great to have a visiting magistrate in our law lesson. All students really enjoyed the case study activity as the video linked to what we were already taught about aggravating and mitigating factors.”

Wiggly career paths

The Year 12 Sociology students at the Girls’ School welcomed Baroness Anne Longfield CBE with similar enthusiasm when she spoke about her former role as Children Commissioner for England. Baroness Longfield not only talked about her professional achievements and career highlights, she was particularly sensitive to the needs of her young audience when she spoke about her university choices.

Sharing her own experience of choosing subjects that fired her with passion was incredibly valuable insight for students on the cusp of making significant life choices themselves.

Student Roqaiah summed it up brilliantly: “What motivated me was that it can take time to choose the right career, that it is okay to be unsure of what exactly you want to do after university.”

It’s one of the successes of the Foundation’s Events programme that we augment not only students' academic experience but also expand their personal development as well.

From Autumn 2025 the Foundation is looking to support a fuller, long-term careers and work experience programme to extend and deepen the work delivered by the schools. We’d love to hear from employers and volunteers who would like to get involved, and from potential donors who would help us fund this exciting expansion to the student careers and opportunities programme. You can get in touch here.

If you too have a story you’d love to share with our students please do get in touch.