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As this academic year drew to a close, our Year 10 students stepped away from their timetables and immersed themselves in a day of real-world insights, expert advice from industry professionals, and Dragons’ Den-style pitching.
This event was supported by the CHS network. We hosted a guest panel ranging from Old Waconians who returned to offer their words of wisdom, to current CHS parents who are in the professional sector. We also had the pleasure of welcoming back Mark Whelan (Class of 1985), Chairman of Havas UK, whose inspiring talk challenged the Year 10s to think innovatively about their futures. As the students are beginning to explore their future pathways, the event provided the perfect opportunity to hear from people in different industries under one roof. Moreover, it allowed them to start networking and build confidence in their enterprise skills.
The highlight of the event was the ‘Social Impact Challenge’, where students collaborated in teams to solve a pressing, real-world problem of their choice. The day culminated in a Dragons’ Den-style session, where students pitched their solutions directly to our expert panel.
“Having so many parents and Old Waconians return to school to share their own career journeys with our Year 10 students was incredibly powerful, showing that there is no single path to success,” reflected Fran Kennedy, Director of External Relations. “The afternoon’s ‘Social Impact Challenge’ brought another dimension to the day. Our volunteers stepped into the role of ‘Dragons’ – listening to and judging the students’ ideas with enthusiasm, offering thoughtful feedback and encouragement along the way. Thank you to everyone who gave their time to make this day a great success.”
Although the day was intensive, our Year 10 students rose to the challenge with entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding energy. Through forward-thinking programmes like the NextGen Waconians Event, CHS continues to ensure that our students are not just exam-ready, but truly future-ready.
Contact:
Divya George | Social Media Intern
E-mail : er@chschool.co.uk
Phone : 0161 488 3330
