Fairfield Prep School was delighted to launch Fairfield Futures on Monday; a week-long learning initiative encouraging Year 6 pupils to begin considering life beyond Fairfield.

Led by Sarra Jenkins, Director of Future Pathways at Loughborough Grammar School, and Rachel Ferraby, Director of Clinical Applications also at LGS, Fairfield Futures was developed in response to latest research showing that pupils start thinking about, and even discounting certain universities and courses, from as early as Year 6.

Comprising a combination of presentations, skills workshops, interactive research sessions, and games, pupils learnt all about the various options available to as post-18 pathways.

Fairfield families also got involved to share their career journeys and experience; parents, including an ophthalmologist, doctor, professor and lawyer, provided career summaries and took part in Q&A sessions with pupils. They were quizzed on topics such as what is the best thing about your job? and ‘what might your job look like in 20 years’ time?

Pupils also learnt about apprenticeship opportunities whilst getting stuck into the ‘apprenticeship arcade’ games, and heard from Professor Griffiths from Loughborough University about a career in academic research, as well as Dr Fraser, a local General Practitioner. There was also an online talk from a geotechnical engineer.

Inspired by all the career and future pathway knowledge that they had absorbed, pupils enjoyed getting hands-on to create a two-minute video showing what they had learnt about different careers and the routes required to get there.

Aarav said: “It’s made me think a lot more about the future, I want to become a banker or a cricketer. I think I might do an apprenticeship and then I might get a job after that.”

Mutiara was also inspired. She said: “It’s made me think about what I want to do with my life. I have always wanted to be a badminton player, and this week has made me think about what I will do after that. I’ve learnt a lot! I’m thinking about doing an apprenticeship and University.”

Aashni agreed the week was helpful. She said: “This week has made me think about all the different things I can do after A-levels, and all the different degrees I can do.”

The fantastic Fairfield Futures week culminated in a final ‘futures’ talk where parents were welcomed to join the session where they heard about the current trends in post-18 planning, along with important career-planning milestones to mark in the calendar.

Sarra Jenkins, Director of Future Pathways at Loughborough Grammar School said: “It’s incredible that children as young as 10 and 11 are already making decisions about universities and courses. I’m so pleased to have led this unique initiative that helps educate these pupils on their career options so that they can be confident that the decisions they’re making in the future are informed and based on shared experience.”

Jamie Moseley, Deputy Head Academic at Fairfield Prep School said: “Fairfield Futures has proved to be an incredibly successful week. Our pupils have undoubtedly taken home some valuable knowledge to help them make key decisions in the future, as well as learning about career opportunities or pathways they might have not considered. We would like to thank everyone involved in this important initiative; they have helped inspire the careers of the future!”