Preparing students for the future is a key priority at Blackheath High School. We strive to furnish every student, from Nursery to Sixth Form with the key skills, knowledge and confidence they need to flourish and succeed in the world. This is particularly important for girls – we teach the skills that enable girls to succeed in future environments where they may find they need to shout a little louder than their male counterparts to be heard. 

To complement our comprehensive Futures Programme at Senior School, which includes careers guidance, specialised workshops, internships and advanced leadership roles, this term, we created an innovative new event aimed at laying the groundwork for academic and personal growth among our Junior School pupils. In line with our Mighty Girls Challenge ethos of equipping even our youngest students with ambition, bravery and curiosity as they prepare to become the workforce of tomorrow, our Future Forward event introduced girls in Years 4-6 to a wide range of careers, ideas and inspiration for the future. 

Head of Futures, Cath Day, created an age-appropriate morning, including a speed networking session, an introduction to a range of dream careers and bitesize careers presentations from parents representing different types of job, ranging from banking, management consultancy, law and software engineering, to hydrogeology, architecture and museum curation. We even had a Royal Opera House singer and a Royal Academy trombonist! 

Head Natalie Argile says: “We're incredibly grateful to the parents who gave up their time to participate in this event, and who talked so passionately about their careers. Many took part in a speed networking event, talking to small groups of girls about their careers. Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a Careers Workshop carousel, led by Miss Day; while Year 4 were treated to presentations, including a glorious aria from ‘La Boheme’ by our professional opera singer, wonderful trombone playing and an incredible display of stop-motion animation.  

"It was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to learn about new careers and the very different paths that had brought the adults to their professions. Our girls were thrilled with the day, as were parents, who were incredibly impressed with the girls’ questions and the values they exhibited. I heard one Year 5 pupils asking if social responsibility played a part in a Finance role, with the parent replying that if she was asked to source diamonds for a client, she would ensure that they were mined ethically!”