jameswalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

@JWalkerKM

An opera singer, a specialist journalist and international hockey player have all signed up to pass their expertise on to local school children.

An alumni network has been set up by Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, with the hope that current students can benefit from the wisdom and advice of pupils past.

Mary Smith, head teacher at the Buckland Lane site, said: “The job market is undeniably competitive and we want to give our girls the best opportunities to reach their full career potential.

“Many schools with a long heritage like ours benefit from these type of networks, so we look forward to seeing the rewards such a project can bring.”

Since its launch this year over 500 alumni have signed up and the school is in the process of digitising the information to make it accessible for pupils.

Notable members include Natalie Seymour, who has represented England and Great Britain in field and indoor hockey 90 times.

Also on board are soprano Katie Bird, who is currently covering the role of Cio Cio San in Anthony Minghella’s Madam Butterly, staged by the English National Opera, and journalist and businesswoman Holly Sutton. She is a former writer for the Health Service Journal and the founder of Journalista, a PR agency that specialises in the health, social and community sectors.

Former MGGS pupils looking to join the network can email their name, contact details, career information and qualifications to alumni@mggs.org.

Alternatively they can join a group on LinkedIn by searching for the MGGS alumni network.