Birmingham school launches alumni platform to reconnect former pupils with current students

Three teachers who returned to the Birmingham school where they were once pupils are urging fellow alumni to reconnect – and help inspire the next generation.

For Jawad Hussain, Ping To and Adil Mian, arriving at work each morning means walking through the same school gates they first entered as pupils more than 20 years ago.

All three have fond memories of their time at King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys (HGS) and, after pursuing careers in education, eventually found themselves back in the classrooms of their old school – this time as teachers.

Now Jawad, 38, Ping, 38, and Adil, 27, are encouraging other former pupils to follow their example by reconnecting with HGS and sharing the knowledge and experiences they have gained since leaving.

The trio are backing a new alumni initiative at the historic Grove Lane school, which was founded in 1862 and is Birmingham’s oldest surviving selective school.

Adil said: “Anyone who has attended HGS will know it has a unique culture, partly because of where it is, partly because of the kind of students who attend, and also because of the caring and supportive approach of the staff.

“When I came back as a teacher, it was great to be able to contribute to that culture.

“I’d urge alumni to reconnect with the school and do the same. Just by speaking to current students, you can open their eyes to the range of career pathways available. As a humanities teacher, that kind of insight is particularly valuable.”

Ping said reconnecting former pupils with HGS could create a powerful network of contacts, role models and opportunities for today's students.

She said: “Reconnecting with the school as an alumnus is important because it helps build a wider community and shows students where they can go career-wise.

“Those links can help them find work experience placements, role models and guidance.

“When you’re at school, you kind of live in a bubble. Connecting with alumni – people who were once part of that same bubble and have gone on to achieve amazing things – helps students see just how much is achievable from an HGS education.”

Jawad believes former pupils can have a particularly powerful impact because current students can identify with people who once sat in the same classrooms and faced many of the same choices.

He said: “It’s great to have alumni come into school and share their perspectives. They’re excellent role models and can really boost students’ aspirations.

“Last year we held our community Iftar event, and so many parents commented on how former students came back, donated and helped out.

“There’s a real appetite among former students to reconnect – and now there’s the perfect way for them to do it.”

HGS has partnered with Future First, the UK education charity specialising in school alumni networks, to make it easier for former pupils to reconnect with the school and keep up to date with life at HGS.

Importantly, the alumni network will also enable former students to share their career journeys, knowledge and life experiences with young people following in their footsteps.

Headteacher Tim Johnson said: “I know many of our former pupils will already be using LinkedIn to build and maintain their professional networks, but I would really encourage them to join the HGS Future First Alumni platform too.

“What makes this different is the connection everyone on it already shares – HGS.

“It gives former pupils a way to reconnect with the school and each other, keep in touch with what is happening at HGS and, if they choose, use their experiences to support and inspire the students following in their footsteps.

“There is no expectation about how involved people need to be; simply joining the network and staying connected would be a fantastic start.

“We would love to welcome more former pupils back and see them become part of the life of HGS once again, just as Jawad, Ping and Adil have.”

And HGS alumni have certainly gone on to make their mark in a remarkable variety of fields.

They range from television star Adil Ray and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to internationally acclaimed conductor Alpesh Chauhan and palaeontologist Harry Whittington FRS, whose research helped transform scientific understanding of the evolution of early animals.

But the school stresses that its new network isn't simply about celebrating its most famous former pupils.

HGS wants to hear from Handsworthians from every walk of life, recognising that the experiences, careers and life lessons of former pupils can all offer something valuable to today's students.

Governor Sukhdeep Matharu, who attended HGS from 1991 to 1998, said the alumni network also provides former pupils with an opportunity to give something back to a school that played an important part in their own lives.

He said: “I feel privileged to be part of HGS, with an opportunity to give back to the school and community that gave me so much.

“Being a father of two boys, I have a keen interest in the challenges today’s young people face and the untapped potential they all hold within.

“Through the experience and life skills we have gained, we can help ensure the next generation learns from our mistakes and surpasses our achievements to reach new heights.

“It’s amazing to think how far and wide our alumni have gone and the breadth of careers and experiences they now represent.”

Former pupils can join the HGS Alumni Network via the futurefirsthub.org.uk website.