AN Alton school is seeking former students who can inspire the current generation to academic success and career confidence.

Eggar’s School on London Road, Holybourne, wants to reconnect with its former students through the Eggar’s School Alumni Association. The association aims to keep alumni in touch to share experiences, to highlight how Eggar’s shapes its students’ future lives, and to share news and events.

The school is working with the national education charity Future First to contact former students in established careers, recent leavers in further education, alumni who live nearby, and those who have moved away.

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 200,000 former students nationwide have already signed up to stay connected with their old school. They are motivating young people as career and education role models, mentors, work experience providers, governors, and fundraisers.

Community liaison officer Sarah McKenzie, an alumna of Eggar’s School herself, said: “We signed up to Future First’s scheme straightaway. A network of past students with all their valuable experience will be vital in helping us to broaden current students’ career horizons and equip them for the world of work.

“We would be delighted to hear from any former student. Can you put your name to this photograph from the 1970s? Do let me know!”

Former students should e-mail Ms McKenzie on [email protected].

uk or sign up via networks.futurefirst.org.uk/register.

Christine Gilbert, chairman of Future First and a former Ofsted chief inspector, said: “Every state school student should have the opportunity to succeed in life after school, regardless of their background. If students see ‘people like me’ have succeeded, they are more likely to believe they can too. They work harder and have higher expectations of success.

“We want more schools to see the benefits of using their alumni as a powerful resource.”

For more details about Future First, visit futurefirst.org.uk, e-mail press officer Sue Crabtree on [email protected], or call 020 7239 8933.