Alumnus Amber Smalley Encourages KES Students to Aim High

King Edward VII Academy welcomed alumnus, Amber Smalley for two days this January. Hoping to inspire our students, raising aspirations, encouraging all of our students to aim high and try their best. Amber studied at KES between 2010-2017. After taking her A-Levels at KES, she went on to study Psychology at University of Leicester and graduated top of her year.

On her visit, Amber spoke to Year 11 and Sixth Form students where she was a huge inspiration, talking about her experiences and reassuring students on the choices they are about to make. After university Amber joined the Civil Service Fast Stream, a flagship leadership graduate scheme within the UK Government. Amber specialises in Project Delivery and she has worked on a number of major projects, working in offices such as the Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport and Department for Work and Pensions.

Alistair White, Head of Sixth Form at King Edward VII Academy said:

"It is always great to welcome back KES students and hear about their successes since they left us. Amber's visit was particularly inspiring for our sixth form and year 11 pupils.

Her role in the civil service has given her the opportunity to work with some of those in the highest offices in the country and to be involved in very significant government projects.

 

It was fantastic for our pupils to hear about the values and skills that got Amber to her current position. Amber's firsthand account of her academic journey and career path will have opened pupils' minds to opportunities they might not have considered possible."

On her visit to KES, Amber spoke about her study experiences at KES and university, giving great revision tips and strategies to cope with the stress of exams. When talking about her career in the Civil Service she shared tips on self-belief, determination and building resilience.

Amber said:

"Visiting KES again and speaking with students about their futures has been a huge privilege. Social mobility is about making sure everyone, regardless of background, has the right access to opportunities and the confidence to pursue them. It's about your ability, rather than your circumstances, determining success.

 

I hope my journey shows that where you start doesn't have to define where you go, and encourages students to consider all the paths open to them, including the Civil Service."

Amber spoke about her options when leaving Sixth Form and her experience of clearing after receiving her A-Level results. After some deliberation of her choices, Amber found her place at the University of Leicester, she forced herself to say “yes” to all that she could, having some fantastic experiences and gaining lots of transferable skills on her way through university. Her ability to embrace new activities and experiences has given her the confidence to push forward and take opportunities that wouldn’t have seemed possible to Amber when she was in Year 11.

Alexandra Spindler, Second i/c Sixth Form at King Edward VII Academy said:

"Amber was able to answer specific questions about how the Year 12 students could boost their applications for university and employment.  Additionally, the Psychology students were very interested hearing about the exciting different psychology laboratory experiments that Amber had been involved in at university.

 

Amber was able to describe the structure and employment opportunities within the Civil Service with detail, stimulating examples and unique insight. But mostly she was able to show the KES Sixth Form and Year Eleven students that her exceptional enthusiasm, willingness to try new things and a consistent work ethic were able to provide learning and employment opportunities that she had not dreamed or heard of when at school herself."