Pock Connects, the recently launched network for OPs, current and former parents, and the wider Pocklington School community, was in action in April with its first drinks event. Held at the iconic German Gymnasium at King's Cross in London, around 30 guests from a variety of industry sectors came along to meet up with friends and make new connections.

As well as being a social occasion, the event was an opportunity to engage with the network, find out more about each other, and make connections to feed into the in-school Pock Connects sessions. The concept for the new programme is a series of short ‘bitesize’ lunchtime talks and conversations, either online or in person, with members of the Pock Connects network offering current students the opportunity to learn more about business sectors they are interested in, pick up valuable tips and advice about finding work experience, and to ask any burning questions they have about a particular industry.

Although Pock Connects bitesize is not yet fully up and running, a trial talk on investment banking was held earlier this month with OP Shreyas Gopal (05-14) of Deutsche Bank. He gave insights, answered questions, and shared his experience of the sector with Sixth Form student, Sam. The talk will be repeated to a larger group in the coming weeks as part of the trial before rolling out a regular programme of Pock Connects talks for students.  

Toby Seth said “It was fantastic to see such a range of OPs and friends at our London drinks event; there were people from all walks of life, highlighting just how diverse and interesting our OPs' lives become after they leave Pocklington. It was a great way to kick off our Pock Connects network; the vast majority of those that came are eager to get involved with our ‘bitesize’ programme of talks which will be of huge benefit to our pupils. We are immensely grateful to all those who are willing to give their time and expertise so generously in this way and look forward to building on these connections in the future.”

To find out more or to get involved, please join Pock Connects on LinkedIn, the official group for members of the Pocklington School community.