Building for the Future: Chloe Smith joins leading education charity

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, recently accepted an invitation to join the advisory council of leading education charity Future First.

Future First works in 400 state schools and colleges across Britain, including Framingham Earl High School in Norwich, Aylsham High School and Flegg High School in Great Yarmouth. The goal is to develop a thriving engaged alumni community, building students’ confidence so they can succeed in their chosen career and motivate them to work hard in school now.  The charity works through state school alumni who register to help motivate today’s students as work experience providers, career and education role models, mentors, fundraisers, governors and donors.

Chloe said:

“As a former comprehensive school student myself, I am pleased to join the advisory council of Future First. We know that in the modern job market strong networks are vital to getting ahead. Historically private schools students have benefited from a strong alumni network. We need to work hard to ensure state school students have the same access to this opportunity. This is what social mobility is all about.”

“39% of state school students don’t know anyone in a job they would like to do, with many believing themselves to be unsuccessful and 70% thinking it will be hard to get a job when they leave school. Research by Future First found that more than 10 million British adults are willing to support current students at their former state school or college.  So far 150,000 are registered to do so, which means more needs to be done to take advantage of the talent and good will available.”

In joining the Future First Advisory Council, Chloe will be working alongside former Education Secretary Baroness Estelle Morris, former Schools Minister David Laws, the education campaigner and journalist Fiona Morris and Dr Sarabajaya Kumar, teaching fellow at the London School of Economics.

Alex Shapland-Howes, Managing Director of Future First said:

“Chloe will bring a wealth of experience to Future First’s, helping us achieve our aim that every child deserves to succeed in a career of their choice, regardless of their background.

“It’s really important for all students to be motivated to succeed in the working world and hearing first hand from relatable people in interesting jobs can make a huge difference.”