Alumni return to support ‘Life Beyond LGS’ programme

We were delighted to welcome back Loughborough Grammar School alumni on Tuesday 16 April, as they came back to campus to support our ‘Life Beyond LGS’ programme.

Offering their time to the various talks, Leon Ellis (LGS 2022), Tom Hopkins (LGS 2023), Jaysol Doy (LGS 2023), and Neil Ruikar (LGS 2021) all played valuable roles within the post-18 planning programme organised by Director of Pathways, Sarra Jenkins. Miss Jenkins was delighted to have the former students on campus to share their experiences and knowledge on university life and applying to Oxbridge to the current Year 12 cohort.

Whilst on campus, LGS Head Helen Foster was thrilled to see the boys back at school – with her inviting them to join her for coffee in her study and then asking them to add their sticker onto her worldwide map of their chosen country – a tradition they were happy to join in with. The former students also spent time reminiscing about their time together at school.

After Jaysol chatted with Ms Foster, he headed to the Don and Pat Wood Lecture Theatre to deliver his talk on applying to Oxbridge. As a first-year student studying Law at Trinity College Cambridge, he was appropriately placed to offer his advice. He spoke about interview techniques and the importance of knowing your personal statement ‘inside-out’. He also urged the boys to find a society that they love once at university, with Jaysol sharing his love of the Drama Society. Jaysol was also keen to catch up with two of his former teachers, so he made time to speak with both Mrs Briers and Mr Hunter.

Leon Ellis (Head Boy 2021-22), a second-year student at Lancaster University and a student ambassador, spoke to Year 12 about making the most of their time at university. He stressed how important it was to find the right clubs and societies to join and advised that the friends you meet at university will last you a lifetime. He talked about the ‘common experience’ and how his love of American Football and sport in general has enabled him to thrive. Tom Hopkins also added to this, and as former Chair of the Rugby Society, encouraged the pupils to not feel pressured when at university.

Neil Ruikar studied Medicine at Leicester for two years but has now changed his career path and has been accepted to study Economics at Nottingham University, starting in September 2024. In his talk, he encouraged pupils to be authentic and choose the right path for them. Neil was delighted to be back on campus and saw his former teachers, Mr Korosi, Mrs Ferraby, and Miss Jenkins, for lunch while on site.

We are so grateful to Tom, Leon, Jaysol and Neil for coming back and sharing their lived experiences with our current pupils.

We welcome alumni to participate in talks with our current pupils at various events throughout the year. If you would like to get involved, please email alumni@lsf.org. Your former teachers are always happy to hear from you too, as your continued involvement is what makes our school community thrive!