Firstly, we hope you like our new look!? As we start a brand new term, we thought we would update you with all of the exciting things happening in our world, and if you are receiving this, it's because we've identified you as a close partner of Global Academy. We hope you enjoying reading what we have been up to recently…..

Global Inspire Programme 💡

Last term, the Global Inspire mentoring programme came to an exciting climax after an action packed 16-weeks. The programme paired 30 Global Academy students individually with mentors from across the Global business, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn direct from industry professionals.

Throughout the programme, students were able to work closely with their mentors, gaining valuable insights and guidance across Radio, Video, Online and Outdoor. The mentorship relationships allowed our students to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and its inner workings, as well as network and build confidence in their abilities.

As the programme came to an end, the students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such an enriching experience and showcased their newfound skills in a final presentation which took place at the Global offices in Holborn.

Massive thank you to Donna James (Talent Development Partner, People and Culture), Aimee Barby (Talent Development Manager, People and Culture), Lindsey Barrass (Head of Talent Development) and all at Global for making this happen!

Year 13 Next Steps Event 👣

Last month, we said a fond farewell to our Year 13 students. Before they left, we hosted a very special ‘Next Steps’ careers event designed to help students prepare for life beyond Global Academy. Anna Penny (Talent Acquisition Manager), Marc Conway (Head of Talent Acquisition), Rebecca Corbett (Talent Acquisition Partner) and Kieran Bassan (Talent Acquisition Manager) from Global ran interactive CV workshops and interview preparation sessions, which were particularly beneficial for the students who were still looking for work.

We were also joined by some of our wonderful alumni who took part in a panel discussion, focusing on the theme of ‘What I wish I knew when I was in Year 13’, and during lunchtime, we were also joined by other partners including; Envy, Dentsu and Met Film School who took part in a mini-careers fair, where they shared information about their respective fields and provided insights into potential progression paths.

The Year 13 Next Steps Fair was a fantastic success, and the students found it to be an invaluable experience. This event was a testament to Global Academy’s commitment to providing its students with the best possible opportunities and helping kick start their career in media. Thank you to everyone who took part in the day!

Students Host The Coronation Picnic! 👑

Last term, our students also had the opportunity to showcase their presenting talents, by hosting the main stage at The Mayor of Hillingdon’s Coronation Picnic in Fassnidge Park. The event which took place on Sunday 7th May 2023, celebrated the coronation of King Charles III and brought together the local community to enjoy a day of music, food, and entertainment.

The students’ introduced a variety of local musical acts, including; Brass Bands, Bhangra Dancing and even our very own Global Academy Instrumental Group. The event was not only an opportunity for the students to showcase their talents, but it also provided them with an opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Overall, the students were thrilled to be part of the event and their performance was met with thunderous applause, with the students feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment in knowing that they had done an excellent job.

This opportunity was one of a kind and I’m thankful to Global Academy for helping me build up my confidence in presenting with a practical experience like this.

Lina Young, Year 12 Student

The Students were awesome! Even when I kept them on their toes with the constant changes, they remained calm throughout!

Cathy Handley, Hillingdon Music Services Manager

Industry Insights with Head of Social Media at Canon Europe 👀

We were also delighted to be joined by Thessa Heijmans, EMEA Head of Social Media at Canon Europe, who visited Global Academy last term to run an Industry Insights session. Thessa brought a wealth of knowledge and experience in social media and marketing, sharing valuable insights and tips with the students.

During the workshop, Thessa highlighted the importance of social media in today’s business landscape, and how companies like Canon are leveraging social media to connect with their audience and drive brand awareness. She also talked about the various career opportunities available in the field of social media and encouraged the students to consider it as a potential career path.

The students were thrilled to learn from such an accomplished professional, and the session provided them with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the industry and learn from a seasoned expert.

Lucky me for being asked to take part in this session! The students couldn’t be more lovely and engaged (and to be honest – asked some pretty tough questions, too!)

Thessa Heihmans, EMEA Head of Social Media at Canon Europe

Advertising Week Europe 23 📲

We were delighted to take part in a panel discussion at Advertising Week Europe 2023, which took place at Picturehouse Central in London last month. Our panel discussion focused on ‘Rethinking Routes into Advertising’, which was expertly hosted by Heart presenter, Katrina Ridley, and joined by a mix of students from the academy from across multiple year groups. This included Daisy Barker (Current Year 10 student), Ronnie Koldashi (Current Year 14 Student) and Jasmine Wissart (Heart Showrunner and Former Global Academy Student).

The panel discussion aimed to explore innovative approaches to breaking into the advertising field, challenging traditional notions and highlighting alternative pathways. As an institution at the forefront of creative education, we brought our unique perspective to the table, emphasising the importance of a diverse and inclusive talent pool.

The panel discussion proved to be an engaging and thought-provoking session, attracting industry leaders, professionals, and students alike. Our contribution to the session demonstrated our commitment to nurturing the next generation of advertising talent and fostering innovation within the industry.

Product Testing with Tomb Raider LIVE! 💥

We were delighted to once again be working with the team at Little Lion Entertainment this term, who offered our students the incredible opportunity to participate in some new product testing at the Tomb Raider Live experience in London. The event provided an immersive and interactive adventure, allowing students the chance to step into the shoes of Lara Croft for the day!

This collaboration allowed students to engage with the creative and marketing teams and provide valuable feedback on the latest products related to this immersive experience. This not only offered an exciting adventure for the students but also exposed them to the practical aspects of product testing and entertainment development.

By involving Global Academy students in the process, Little Lion Entertainment recognised the importance of the Gen Z perspectives and insights. This collaboration between education and entertainment also served as an inspiration for the students, highlighting the potential avenues for their future careers in this exciting and dynamic field.

🏖️ Later this week, we are delighted to be taking our brand new students (who will be joining us in September) behind the scenes at Capital’s Summertime Ball during a very unique ‘Keep Warm’ event. We also have multiple current students who will be working at the show.

👥 The Canon mentoring programme comes to a close for our Year 13 and 14 students, with a final showcase taking place later this month.

👀 We’re also very excited to be working with Envy, Canon, Playmaker Group and Pantene on some very exciting ‘Industry Insight’ sessions with our Year 10 and Year 12 students.

💃 Year 10 will also be taking part in ‘Activity Week’ in July and as part of multiple activities planned, Dentsu and Canon have kindly offered our students the opportunity of taking part in some workplace visits.

As always, thank you to everyone who continues to support us and our students. These kind of industry related opportunities are absolutely invaluable to our students and we couldn’t do it without you!

If you would like to get involved or help us in anyway going forward, please email [email protected] - we would be delighted to hear from you!