Last week, students and apprentices from across our Abingdon, Witney, and Common Leys Farm campuses came together with Governors and Senior Managers for our annual Student Conference, taking part in a day designed to inspire confidence, build skills, and empower them to shape their futures.
The day began with a warm welcome over breakfast, followed by an opening address from Deputy Principal, Jo Milsom, who encouraged students to embrace the opportunity to be pushed outside their comfort zones.
She explained:
The skills you build here today – confidence, resilience, communication, and adaptability – are not things you learn by sitting back. They’re built by doing, by trying and by getting it slightly wrong sometimes and realising you’re still standing, still learning, and still moving forward.
Students were then introduced to Loud Speaker, a youth training provider known for delivering engaging, high-energy workshops that support young people to grow in confidence and ambition.
Throughout the morning and early afternoon, students took part in two interactive sessions: Wimbledon is a State of Mind and The Yellow Brick Road. These dynamic workshops encouraged students to think differently about their futures and personal development. In The Yellow Brick Road, students explored a wide range of pathways including university, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, full-time work and travelling, helping them to see that there is no single route to success. Meanwhile, Wimbledon is a State of Mind focused on developing a strong personal brand, building networks, and communicating confidently in a variety of settings.
At lunchtime, students came together in the canteen to refuel and reflect, before moving into an interactive feedback session. Hosted across the foyer and meeting rooms, teams from Enrichment, Digital, Marketing and Core created a carousel of opportunities for students to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. These valuable conversations ensured that student voice remained at the heart of the College’s ongoing development.
The conference concluded with the Game of Life session. This inspiring workshop encouraged students to reflect on their own journeys, including their passions, challenges, successes and setbacks, and to begin shaping a personal narrative they can carry forward into both their personal and professional lives. The session ended with a motivating call to action, empowering students to take ownership of their future and step confidently into their next chapter.
Careers Advisor and Student Voice Coordinator, Cheryl Jones said:
“We run the student conference to push young people beyond their comfort zones and help them grow in ways they might not expect. It’s about building confidence, learning new skills, and having conversations with people they wouldn’t usually meet. Most importantly, it gives them the chance to hear from inspiring voices, explore the skills they’ll need for the future, and start taking real ownership of their next steps in life.”
It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. The energy and engagement in every session highlighted the strength of our student community and their commitment to making the most of every opportunity.
Student Conference 2026 was kindly hosted by Sophos at the HQ in Abingdon, and was a truly memorable day, leaving students feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
