Students at Neale Wade Academy are to be supported into their future careers by focused role models.

The aim is to help them boost their ambition and chances of securing a good career with an alumni scheme of ex students.

Young people in Years 9 to 11 will get the chance to be involved in a scheme focusing on developing verbal communication and written skills including a mock interview in a work setting.

Sam Mandley, director of curriculum and careers, said, “We welcome the opportunity for our students to work with our alumni.

“From the first sessions it was clear students were very positive especially knowing the alumni had some of the same experiences.

“We are confident these ex-students can inspire and motivate our students developing confidence as well as important skills which will help them succeed in their next steps of education or learning.”

Christine Gilbert, executive chair of future first and a former Ofsted chief inspector said, “Every student should have the opportunity to succeed in life after school, regardless of their background.

“If students see ‘people like me’ have succeeded, they are more likely to believe they can too. They work harder and have higher expectations of success.

“We want more schools to see the benefits of using their alumni as a powerful resource.”

Sophie Edgerley-Harris, charitable giving coordinator at Rothschild said: “Rothschild and Co’s Community Investment programme aims to raise and realise the aspirations of young people.

“We are proud to continue our long standing support of Future First.

“We look forward to seeing the impact of the employablity skills project and are delighted that our employees will also have the opportunity to contribute, through our employee volunteering efforts.”

The project will equip the young people in March with skills they need to succeed in work and help them overcome barriers to achieving their dream jobs.

Over three years they will work with alumni from similar backgrounds who will coach them in activities to build self-awareness, confidence and drive, and help them increase their understanding of their future career options including how to succeed in job interviews.