Student Futures Department shortlisted for distinguished national award

Shrewsbury School is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted for an award in the Student Careers category of the Independent School of the Year 2021 awards.

This follows the national success of being named the Independent School of the Year at the 2020 awards, where we were also the joint recipient of the Community Outreach Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Boarding School of the Year Award in the national TES Independent School Awards in April 2021.

The Student Careers category seeks schools which help its students with on-going advice and support for their future. Shrewsbury School provides all pupils with support from its Futures Department, where our focus is to develop our pupils’ skills and knowledge to ensure they are competent in a wide range of professions.

The change to remote learning during the pandemic provided an opportunity for our Futures Department to work with over 200 parents and Old Salopians, from our global network of alumni, to provide exceptional advice and guidance through our new ShrewsburyU programme which was offered to all Upper Sixth pupils supporting their progression to university and beyond. The Futures Department also provided all Upper Sixth pupils with an opportunity to study the Institute of Leadership and Management Young Leaders Award a first at Independent Schools across the Midlands. Both programmes were offered during the Summer Term 2020 and have been continued this Summer.

Leo Winkley, Headmaster of Shrewsbury School, said:

I am thrilled for the pupils and staff of Shrewsbury School, particularly those in our Futures Department, as we have been shortlisted for a national award in the Student Careers category.  As far as we are aware, we are the only independent school to be delivering this qualification in full.

We have implemented two new initiatives in the past year; a university mentoring system where pupils have received advice and guidance from over 200 alumni regarding their university experiences, and the ILM Young Leaders Award, of which we are one of only a handful of independent schools in the country to deliver. This internationally recognised qualification allows pupils to increase their experience of leadership and mentoring skills.

Given the new challenges we have faced in the last year, our pupils’ futures have always been at the forefront of our priorities, preparing them for any walk of life. This shortlisting is testament to the work of our Futures Department.

Chris Wain, Head of Futures added:

I was delighted to hear the news about the Futures Department being shortlisted for this award. I am fortunate to work alongside some amazing colleagues who have been absolutely instrumental in achieving this recognition, as well as incredibly grateful for the support we have enjoyed from our fantastic parent and alumni body during my time in post. I look forward to hearing the outcome!

Independent School of the Year finalists will be revealed on September 7, with winners announced at an awards ceremony in October.