Two major events took place under the QE Futures programme, with one giving Year 9 pupils insights into entrepreneurialism and the other providing sixth-formers with up-to-the-minute information on what to expect from university.
Education technology entrepreneur Amanda Slavin paid a return visit to QE to lead an interactive day for the whole of Year 9 on Developing Employability Skills through Entrepreneurship.
And Year 12 enjoyed the opportunity to hear from last year’s leavers, who returned to the School to give their first-hand experience of life as an undergraduate in QE’s University Convention.
Assistant Head (Pupil Destinations) James Kane said: “These two events demonstrate the breadth of QE Futures. I am grateful to Amanda Slavin for delivering such a stimulating day – one which helped the boys strengthen their communication and teamworking skills, as well as developing their creative and critical thinking.
“The main point of the University Convention was that last year’s leavers share their experiences and pass on advice to current QE students who will be making choices as to where to apply. But it was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with them and hear how they are getting on in ‘the real world’. They seemed to enjoy the opportunity to see each other and to catch up with their ‘old’ teachers over lunch.”
For the Year 9 event, pupils worked together in teams of five to create, and then pitch, a sustainable product that would appeal to young people. The day culminated with groups presenting their work to Amanda Slavin in a bid to win a hypothetical investment.
Amanda Slavin, who was named as a person of influence in a Forbes 30 under 30 list, specialises in helping brands measure and grow engagement with customers and employees.
The author of a best-selling book, The Seventh Level, she is the co-founder of multiple businesses, including CatalystCreativ, which worked with brands including Google and Coca-Cola, and LearningFREQUENCY, which aims to help young people develop a love of learning by increasing engagement.
She reflected afterwards on how the boys had responded when given the opportunity and space to “collaborate, create, and communicate” during the day.
“The students’ ability to think critically, present boldly, and support one another was truly impressive. It was a joy to witness their ideas come to life and see their confidence grow throughout the day.”
Among the participants were Artem Batyukov and Arav Mishra, who, together with their teammates, presented their fruit-bush planting business, which they named Fruiture.
“I really enjoyed the QE Futures day,” said Arav. “It was extremely useful in building up our public speaking and presentation skills, as well as teamwork. As we progress into a new digital age, these skills, currently unable to be possessed by AI, will be extremely important to progress our CVs.”
Artem added: “The project was a masterclass in working in teams under time pressure, really pushing our skill in leadership, teamwork and communication. I think that it has helped our future workplace interaction, and given us a sample of what working to meet a deadline together is like.”
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This tally does not include the many mock interviews held by QE teachers, both for their own students and for pupils at three other schools, nor does it include a range of other interview support measures for aspiring medics, Oxbridge candidates and others in Year 13.
As an introduction to the interview season, in November Gwyneth Hamand, the London Outreach Officer for Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, delivered an in-School workshop for 50 of QE’s Oxford and Cambridge applicants, giving them insight into what to expect from the interview process.