A group of year 10 pupils take part in a four-day residential at the University of St Andrews

A group of Year 10 pupils from Academy 360 recently took part in an exciting four-day residential at the University of St Andrews as part of Laidlaw Schools Trust's Futures Programme.

Delivered in partnership with the London Academy of Excellence (LAE), the programme is designed to raise aspirations, broaden horizons and help young people explore the wide range of education and career pathways available to them.

Laidlaw Schools Trust works in partnership with the London Academy of Excellence because of a shared commitment to delivering high-quality opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. The Futures Programme brings together the strengths of both organisations to give pupils access to university experiences, expert-led sessions and practical guidance as they begin to consider their future education and career choices.

Throughout the academic year, pupils have participated in a series of online sessions featuring professionals from sectors including Computing, Finance, Law, Engineering, Medicine and the Public Sector. The programme provides valuable insight into different career journeys while helping pupils develop the confidence to pursue ambitious goals.

The residential visit to the University of St Andrews brought this learning to life. During the four-day experience, pupils toured the historic campus, took part in team-building activities and attended subject taster sessions in areas including Social and Historical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and Law and Business.

Pupils also completed practical workshops focused on choosing A Levels, researching degree courses, writing personal statements and understanding the university application process. Discussions with current university students provided an authentic insight into life in higher education and the opportunities available beyond school.

The experience encouraged pupils to think about their future aspirations while developing important skills in research, decision-making and goal setting.

"At Academy 360, we want our pupils to understand the range of opportunities available to them after school. The residential gave them the chance to experience university life first-hand, ask questions and think about the different routes they may wish to pursue in the future."

- Suzanne Quinn, Careers Lead at Academy 360

The Futures Programme continues to provide Academy 360 pupils with meaningful opportunities to explore future pathways, develop their ambitions and gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their next steps.