Haberdashers’ Monmouth School is proud to launch its Futures Programme, marked by the introduction of the Futures Ready Backpack – an innovative visual framework designed to support pupils throughout their school journey and beyond.
Haberdashers’ Monmouth School launches Futures Programme with innovative “Futures Ready Backpack”
This week, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School is proud to launch its Futures Programme, marked by the introduction of the Futures Ready Backpack – an innovative visual framework designed to support pupils throughout their school journey and beyond.
The Futures Ready Backpack helps students to build, track and reflect on essential future-ready skills, encouraging them to recognise strengths, identify areas for growth and engage fully with academic and co-curricular opportunities. The programme ensures pupils leave school confident, capable and well prepared for life beyond the classroom.
Headteacher Melvyn Roffe said: “Our Futures Programme is an important way we support pupils throughout the school, helping them to understand their ambitions, set targets and build a skills portfolio that will help them to thrive both at school and beyond.”
A key strength of the programme is the school’s extensive network of academic and professional connections. Formal links with the Haberdashers’ Company, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Cardiff University provide students with access to events, expert guidance and leaders in their fields. Through the Haberdashers’ Advantage, pupils also benefit from mentoring opportunities drawn from the Company’s unique professional network.
The Futures Programme is further strengthened by alumni engagement. Recent sessions enabled pupils to gain first-hand insight into university, apprenticeships and employment. Bella, a pupil hoping to study Geography at the University of Southampton, said: “Speaking to alumni who had recently faced the same decisions was reassuring and motivating, and made my future feel more achievable.”
Inside the Futures Ready Backpack
The Futures Ready Backpack is made up of six interconnected sections, each representing a key skill set students develop throughout their school journey:
Confident Communicator
Students build strong listening, speaking and writing skills, enabling them to express ideas clearly, collaborate effectively and advocate for themselves in academic, professional and personal settings.
Innovative & Creative
This section focuses on analytical thinking, curiosity and problem solving. Students are encouraged to think creatively, tackle challenges with confidence and develop the innovation skills needed in a rapidly changing world.
Resilient & Adaptable
By developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence and resilience, students learn how to manage uncertainty, stay positive under pressure and adapt to new situations — essential skills for both study and life beyond school.
Ambitious for Myself & My Community
Students are supported to aim high, embrace lifelong learning and take responsibility for their own health, wellbeing and leadership. This section also highlights teamwork and contributing positively to the wider community.
Digitally Confident
Pupils develop strong digital literacy, including an understanding of AI, big data, networks and cybersecurity. This ensures they are confident, capable and safe users of technology in education, work and everyday life.
Professional & Ethical
This area supports students to make educated decisions, behave professionally and understand their role as ethical, responsible citizens. It includes community contribution, positive relationships, resource management and environmental stewardship.
Together, these sections help students to track their progress, recognise their strengths and actively build a personalised skills portfolio — ensuring they leave school well prepared for future study, employment and life beyond the classroom.
