In July, seven Kimbolton pupils, then in Year 10, travelled to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester for More than Words: the Power of Language, an event organised by Pearson.

The day brought together inspirational speakers from different walks of life, who shared how languages had helped shape their careers and opened up new opportunities. Their experiences offered pupils a perspective on language learning beyond the classroom, highlighting its role in connecting people and supporting a wide range of professional pathways.

Pupils also had the opportunity to speak with representatives from universities and employers, all with a focus on languages. These conversations encouraged them to explore how their studies could support future choices in higher education and employment.

The day culminated in a ‘Languages Got Talent’ competition, with Stephanie F-I. taking to the stage to perform a poem in Portuguese before an audience of around 400 pupils and teachers. Performing in another language to such a large audience took considerable courage, and Stephanie deserves particular recognition for embracing the opportunity.

It was an interesting and thought-provoking day for the whole group, bringing the possibilities of language learning to life and encouraging pupils to consider where their skills might take them.