DID you go to The Harefield Academy? If you’re a former pupil who would like to support current students, the school would love to hear from you!

The academy in Northwood Way, is one of more than 500 state schools and colleges which have registered with the charity Future First to set up networks of former students, or alumni.

It’s also keen to contact former students from The John Penrose School, the school on the same site which closed in 2005.

Future First’s vision is that every state school or college should be supported by a thriving, engaged alumni community that helps it to do more for its students.

More than 50,000 former students across Britain have already signed up to stay connected with their old school.

They are inspiring young people in a number of ways: as career and educational role models, mentors or e-mentors, work experience providers, governors, donors or fund-raisers.

It doesn’t matter when you left school, whether you’re in further education or employment, whether you still live nearby or have moved further away, there are still ways you can help!

Carmel Brady, head of sixth form at Harefield, said, “A network of past pupils with all their valuable experience will be vital in helping us to broaden current pupils’ jobs horizons and equip them for the world of work.”

Claire Fitzgerald manages the Future First scheme at the academy on cfitzgerald@theharefieldacademy.org