We were delighted to welcome former student Thomas Linford back to King's to speak with our Sixth Form students about his journey from school to securing a degree apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis.

Addressing a packed audience, Thomas shared his experiences since leaving King's and provided valuable insight into the apprenticeship pathway he chose after Sixth Form. While many of his peers pursued traditional university routes, Thomas opted for a degree apprenticeship, combining academic study with practical experience in the workplace.

Students heard first-hand how this route has enabled him to develop professionally, gain industry experience and build a successful career, all while working towards his degree. Thomas spoke candidly about the advantages of degree apprenticeships, alongside some of the experiences typically associated with university life that he has foregone by choosing a different path.

Reflecting on his time at King's, Thomas highlighted the importance of developing a strong personal profile and making the most of opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom. He encouraged students to take part in enrichment activities, seek out work experience, undertake wider reading and utilise resources such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to strengthen applications and prepare themselves for future success.

The session generated excellent engagement throughout, with many students choosing to stay behind afterwards to ask further questions about apprenticeships, careers and life beyond school. Hearing from former students who have recently navigated these decisions provides invaluable perspective for those currently considering their own next steps.

Thomas's visit was a powerful reminder that there are many successful routes beyond Sixth Form and that ambition, preparation and a willingness to seize opportunities can open doors to a wide range of rewarding careers.

We would like to thank Thomas for taking the time to return to King's and share his experiences with the next generation of students.

Could You Inspire the Next Generation?

As part of our commitment to preparing students for life beyond King's, we have recently launched Futures Live, a dedicated strand of our Sixth Form Futures Programme.

Our ambition is simple but exciting: to welcome an alumnus, alumna or business professional into school every week to share their experiences, career journey and advice with our students. Whether you work in STEM, finance, law, healthcare, the creative industries, the public sector, entrepreneurship or any other field, your experiences could provide invaluable insight and inspiration.

We are delighted that four alumni have already signed up to deliver talks this term, and we cannot wait for them to share both their professional journeys and personal achievements with our students. Their willingness to give back demonstrates the strength of the King's community and the value of connecting current students with those who have recently navigated higher education, apprenticeships and the world of work.

There are many ways to get involved, from delivering a talk or participating in a careers panel to offering work experience placements, mentoring opportunities or industry insight.

Could you play your part? If you would like to support the Futures Live Programme and help inspire the next generation of King's students, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Development & Alumni Relations Office to find out more about how you can get involved - grace.bufton@kings.lincs.sch.uk.