Renaissance Hotel Masterclass – An Inspiring Opportunity for Our Year 12 Students

Six of our Year 12 students were fortunate to attend the Renaissance London Heathrow Masterclass on Thursday 13 November, and the experience proved to be truly exceptional. Hosted at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel, the event brought together leaders from business, hospitality, and aviation for an afternoon designed to broaden horizons and deepen career aspirations.

The students were warmly welcomed on arrival by Seema Malhotra MP, who set the tone for what would be an exciting and insightful programme. The highlight for many was the Q&A session with Mr Surinder Arora, Chairman of the Arora Group and owner of the hotel. His story, from humble beginnings to building one of the UK’s most successful hospitality groups, left a strong impression on our students, who described him as “inspiring”, “down-to-earth”, and “a reminder of what determination can achieve.”

This was followed by a fascinating tour of the hotel, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the range of roles involved in running a major international venue. From front-of-house operations to logistics and event management, the tour opened their eyes to the broad spectrum of opportunities within the hospitality and aviation-linked industries.

The afternoon concluded with networking and refreshments, where students were able to speak directly with industry professionals, local leaders, and other young people from across the borough. Our Year 12s embraced the opportunity, asking thoughtful questions and making valuable connections.

Overall, the event was a fantastic success, offering our students insight, inspiration, and real-world understanding of careers that many had never previously considered. We are incredibly grateful to Hounslow’s Promise and the Arora Group for providing such a memorable experience.

Our students returned energised, reflective, and excited about their next steps, exactly what a masterclass should inspire.