We were delighted to welcome back recent alumna Emily Hu last week for some work‑experience training in teaching. Now in the final months of her Mathematics degree at the University of Birmingham, she asked to come and gain first‑hand insight into life in the classroom from a teacher’s perspective, and we were glad to be able to support her with this.

Having joined Royal High in Year 9, she completed both her GCSEs and A‑levels here before leaving in 2023. Her time at the school played a meaningful role in shaping her academic interests, and it was during these years that her enthusiasm for education began to grow.

During her visit, she spent time observing lessons across a range of year groups, focusing on how teachers adapt their approaches to different learners. She was particularly interested in the variety of teaching styles within the department and how students respond to different methods of explanation and support.

Reflecting on her experience, she shared that returning to Royal High felt both familiar and inspiring. Her observations have strengthened her commitment to pursuing a career in teaching, and she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the staff who once taught her. She said:

“Returning to Royal High has reminded me why I want to teach. Seeing how different teachers support their students has been an interesting and useful experience.”

Her visit highlights the strong connections our alumnae maintain with the school and the pride we take in supporting their journeys beyond Royal High. We look forward to seeing where her passion for education takes her next.

Our Head of Maths, Craig Graham said:

“Having her in the classroom this week has been a pleasure. Her curiosity and commitment to learning about teaching were clear from the start. It’s been wonderful to support her as she takes her first steps toward a teaching career and we wish her well with her Maths teacher training, starting in September.”

If you are one of our Alumnae and think we may be able to support you in a similar way please do get in touch as we always love to hear from you.