Year 10 students at AKS recently stepped away from their normal timetable to take part in an innovative Future Ready Day, designed to help them prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly changing world beyond school.
The day formed part of AKS's commitment to ensuring that students leave school not only with strong academic qualifications, but also with the skills, experiences and confidence needed to thrive in higher education, employment and life beyond school.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of activities focused on developing leadership, communication, self-awareness and career readiness. A key highlight was the opportunity to take part in speed networking sessions with members of the OAKS alumni community, giving students valuable insight into a diverse range of professions, industries and career pathways.
Students also completed Morrisby psychometric assessments, helping them to better understand their strengths, interests and future possibilities. Each student left with an individualised report to support future career and subject choices.
Leadership development was another major focus of the day. Working alongside Commando Rugby, students took part in practical leadership challenges designed to develop resilience, teamwork, communication and decision-making skills – qualities increasingly valued by universities and employers alike.
The Future Ready Day also showcased how AKS's bespoke PEAKS (Pursuit of Excellence at AKS) programme supports students in developing the skills that will become increasingly important in an age of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence. Through opportunities such as leadership, public speaking, inquiry learning, co-curricular activities, volunteering and entrepreneurship, students are encouraged to build a broad and adaptable skill set for the future.
Assistant Head, Faye Marland, highlighted the importance of helping students prepare for a world that is evolving at an unprecedented pace.
"The future workplace will require young people to be adaptable, resilient and confident communicators. At AKS, we are committed to ensuring that students develop not only in the classroom but also the skills, experiences and mindset needed to succeed in an ever-changing world."
The day continued into the evening with Preparing for Year 11 and Being Future Ready, a new event for Year 10 students and their parents. The session combined practical guidance on preparing for the
academic demands of Year 11 with a broader focus on the skills, experiences and attributes that will help students succeed in the future.
A particular highlight was hearing directly from recent AKS alumni Max Senior (Class of 2022), Priyanka Rajan (Class of 2025) and Alex Cooke (Class of 2022), who shared their experiences of Sixth Form, university, degree apprenticeships and the transition into higher education and employment. Their insights reinforced the importance of embracing opportunities, developing transferable skills and taking advantage of the support available at AKS.
The event also highlighted the important role of the OAKS alumni network and Beyond AKS mentoring platform in helping students connect with professionals across a wide range of industries, providing valuable real-world insight and inspiration.
The Future Ready Day concluded with students reflecting on their learning and considering how they can continue to develop their own future ready skill set as they progress into Year 11 and beyond.