SUCCESSFUL high-fliers went back to school to inspire the next generation of bright young things.

Schools have been welcoming in former pupils as part of Back to School Week, run by national education charity Future First.

The idea is for former state-school students to join their “old school tie network” and inspire current students about their future working life.

St James’ CE High School in Farnworth was one of the schools taking part inviting back alumni to speak to year 10 students about how to achieve about dreams and ambitions.

Alex Shapland-Howes, managing director of Future First, said: “It may be the first time some of those returning alumni have visited their former school since they left. Too many people leave school and never look back. They have much to offer by returning and will enjoy the experience too.“

He added: “Social mobility continues to be a longstanding problem in this country with a high correlation between parents’ earnings and those of their children. Alumni networks are an important asset in helping schools break that link.

“Private schools and universities have long seen the value of keeping former students engaged.

“Many of their alumni see themselves as part of a lasting community.

“Alumni not only increase understanding about the world of work, they also help drive ambition and aspirations.

“They act as crucial role models, motivating students, building their confidence and providing advice and key decision points, like what GCSEs to study. Many schools use alumni to target areas of need such as practice interviews for university or encouraging women into maths and science.

“And research shows they have a transformative effect with teachers reporting 75 per cent of students work harder after hearing from alumni and better understand the relevance of their studies to their future.

“Alumni prove to students that ‘someone like me’ can succeed and prosper.”

Both the students and alumni enjoyed the motivational event.

Leah Southern, aged 26, is now the Alumni and Development Officer (Communications) at The University of Manchester and lives in Bolton.

She said: “I really enjoyed going back to school — it was quite strange to see how different it was — and slightly reassuring that it hasn’t changed too much since I was last there.

“I wanted the students to realise what a breadth of careers are available out there and to inspire them to follow their passions and to get involved with different things to find what really interests them and, who knows — they could find their dream career that they didn’t even know existed. “Going back to St. James’s brought back a lot of memories and I started reminiscing about all the great times I had there as a student and it really made me realise how much I grew as a person there and all of the opportunities I took advantage of such as being on the school council and getting involved organising charity events.

“It was at St. James’s that I really learnt the value of extra-curricular activities and I simply wouldn’t be where I am now without them”.

Hannah Slattery, aged 14, said: “It was really useful, and actually quite inspiring when I thought about my subjects.

“It made me want to work hard and make sure I do better in the future. Matt (alumnus) said that school is the best time of your life, and that I need to put effort in now.”

Josh Stringer, aged 14, added: “It was a really good opportunity to show that if you work hard you can be successful yourself.

“If you work hard at school you do better in the future.”