Ark Academy was looking for a charity to support their disadvantaged students make better decisions about their next steps.
We caught up with Head of Sixth Form, Tom Ding, to discuss how working with Future Frontiers has made their Year 12 students better informed about their future prospects.
Tell us about why you selected Year 12
"Completing the Future Frontiers programme in the Spring of Year 12 was the perfect time to receive such tailored support. Students started by creating shortlist of careers with their mentor and finished with a one-on-one conversation with an expert in their chosen field. This motivated them as they approached Year 13, and was excellent preparation for their UCAS application a few months later."
How did you choose the students for the Future Frontiers Programme?
"We funded the school contribution through the 16-19 Bursary government funding. We prioritised guaranteeing our most disadvantaged students a personal career mentor through Year 12."
"Most of these students actively applied for the opportunity. When one or two didn’t, we allowed other students to apply for the spare places."
What benefits have you seen from the programme?
"I hope and expect to see fewer students floundering or making very poor choices this year."
"It’s early days for us, with our first Future Frontiers cohort just beginning their university applications. However, I hope and expect to see fewer students floundering or making very poor choices this year."
Were there any individual success stories?
"One of our students is an avid cricket fan who wants to pursue a future in the game but was also looking at Law. Through the Future Frontiers programme, he ended up having a one-on-one conference call with a Director at Cricket England, which gave him a huge dose of insight and
inspiration."
"I’m in no doubt that it was his experience with Future Frontiers that helped him make such a strong decision."
"Following a tough Year 12 on courses he did not love, the student has taken the brave decision to start again on a business programme in order to pursue a career in Sports Management. This is something I can see him being very successful in."
"I’m in no doubt that it was his experience with Future Frontiers that helped him make such a strong decision, rather than limping through and following a path that wasn’t right for him."
Find out more about our programme, or get in touch with our team to discuss how Future Frontiers can help your students