Inspiring the Next Generation at Bexleyheath Academy

At Bexleyheath Academy, inspiring students and broadening their career horizons is a top priority. To help motivate their Key Stage 4  and Key Stage 5 students, Beckie Knight-Croft, Director of Pathways, organises keynote speeches once a term. Her goal is to encourage students to think differently about their career options and discover opportunities they might not have considered before.

Discovering F4S

While searching for ways to bring exceptional speakers into the classroom, Beckie came across F4S through a blog post on Broadband Security. She was impressed by the service, explaining:

“It fitted in really well with our whole-school careers programme. I was able to choose the date of the event and target particular students to attend.”

Using the free platform, Beckie identified two exceptional business leaders to speak at Bexleyheath Academy: Ajay Chowdhury and Robert Gardner—both successful entrepreneurs whose businesses generate a combined turnover of over £149 million.

A Powerful Experience for Students

The keynote speeches had a lasting impact on the students, leaving them “blown away” by what they heard. For many, it was an eye-opening experience to listen to real-world success stories.

“Having the opportunity to listen to current CEOs who have succeeded throughout their lives was eye-opening. We got to hear about the routes they have taken along their career paths on their quest to get where they are today.”

– John Marney, Year 13 Student.

“It was an inspiring opportunity to listen to two people who have had very different career pathways. For me, it was great to hear from Robert Gardner as he has taken a similar route to the one I am looking at, and it was amazing to hear from Ajay Chowdhury about all the things he has been involved in, including founding Shazam!”

– Jared Baseley, Year 13 Student.

The Lasting Impact

The opportunity to hear directly from professionals had a clear impact on the students’ attitudes and aspirations. Beckie explained:

“The messages delivered by Robert and Ajay, especially key themes around persistence and following your dreams, will make a huge difference to our students.”

For subjects like business studies, these real-world connections provide a tangible link between the classroom and future careers. Beckie noted:

“It helps students determine what they want to do in the foreseeable future.”

Would Beckie Recommend F4S?

The answer is a resounding “Absolutely!”

F4S made it easy for Beckie to organise the event, invite local business leaders, and create an experience that left a lasting impression on her students.

If you’re a teacher looking to inspire your students and connect them with real-world role models, F4S can help you make it happen.