Less than 10% of students want to become a Prime Minister or President!

by ACS International Schools, Founded in 1967 to serve the needs of global and local families, ACS International Schools educate over 3,300 students, aged 2 to 18, day and boarding, from more than 100 countries. Our schools in Greater London are all non-sectarian and co-educational. / 6 March 2025

In the wake of the recent UK and US elections and Donald Trump’s inauguration, a new survey of primary and secondary school students reveals that less than 10% (6.3 percent) of students in England aspire to be a Prime Minister or President when they grow up, leading experts to question if these political events have put young people off leadership.

The survey, conducted by ACS International Schools, asks students aged between eight and 18 years old what job role they would most like to have when they finish education. From a list of job roles including a surgeon, climate change scientist, astronaut, technology expert, Prime Minister or President, singer, actor or actress, and athlete or sports star, almost a quarter (24 percent) of participants chose athlete or sports star followed by an actor or actress (14.8 percent) but less than 10% want to become Prime Minister or President.

Robert Harrison, Director of Education and Integrated Technology at ACS International Schools, said: “The data suggests that young people, more than ever, are disengaged with politics, politicians and, more concerning, leadership in general. With the emergence of new, innovative industries, students now require a unique set of employability skills in order to be properly prepared for life at university and the wider workplace.”

In the survey, students also share their views on the most important workplace and interpersonal skills for the future. Skills listed in the survey as options include being a hard worker, natural talent, confidence, intelligence, communication, leadership, technology literacy and teamwork. Of those students who selected that they wanted to become the Prime Minister or President, only 3.5 percent chose ‘intelligence’ as the most important skill to have for the future.

Across the survey, only one in ten students selected ‘a good leader’ as the most vital skill. Around a quarter of respondents think ‘being a hard worker’ and ‘confidence’ are the most important (25.2 percent and 24.1 percent respectively).

Professor Sam Wass, Child Psychologist and Neuroscientist, said: “These findings agree with other research which shows that trust and engagement with political institutions is declining over time[i] especially among young people[ii]. Education needs to work harder to create trust in democratic institutions. This in turn, will help to inspire our future leaders – the world needs them now more than ever!

“It is encouraging that the findings also show that children recognise hard work and confidence as important workplace skills as research shows that both features predict long-term success in the workplace[iii][iv].

In a separate report conducted collaboratively by ACS International Schools and the IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA), the ability to communicate, an inquiring mind and thinking critically are revealed as the most desirable skills for British Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). These skills are all essential for effective leadership, proving how important the trait is in the eyes of employers.

Harrison concluded: “We know that subject knowledge alone is not enough for students to thrive in an ambiguous future. To be ready, students need an education that is grounded in 21st century skills such as leadership, communication and creativity. Countless pieces of research have shown that universities and employers are desperate for these skills. So, our data presents a real reminder for us all to re-engage children in leadership learning, and in doing so, positively impact future outcomes for them and the world too.”

Less than 10% of students want to become a Prime Minister or President!

[i] Valgarðsson, V., Jennings, W., Stoker, G., Bunting, H., Devine, D., McKay, L., & Klassen, A. (2024). A crisis of political trust? Global trends in institutional trust from 1958 to 2019. British Journal of Political Science.

[ii] Chevalier, T. (2019). Political trust, young people and institutions in Europe. A multilevel analysis. International Journal of Social Welfare, 28(4), 418-430.

[iii] Fernández Martín, F. D., Arco Tirado, J. L., & Hervás Torres, M. (2020). Grit as a predictor and outcome of educational, professional, and personal success: A systematic review.

[iv] Sterling, A. D., Thompson, M. E., Wang, S., Kusimo, A., Gilmartin, S., & Sheppard, S. (2020). The confidence gap predicts the gender pay gap among STEM graduates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(48), 30303-30308.

About the research

837 students in England aged between 8 and 18 years old were surveyed by ACS International Schools. Survey summary data and interviews available upon request.

[ii] Chevalier, T. (2019). Political trust, young people and institutions in Europe. A multilevel analysis. International Journal of Social Welfare, 28(4), 418-430.

[iii] Fernández Martín, F. D., Arco Tirado, J. L., & Hervás Torres, M. (2020). Grit as a predictor and outcome of educational, professional, and personal success: A systematic review.

Unlocking Career Opportunities in the UK

Are you ready to kickstart your career in the United Kingdom?

Navigating the job market can be a daunting task, especially in a new country. Whether you’re an international professional, or simply seeking a career change, this webinar is designed to equip you with essential strategies and insights to enhance your job search in the UK. Join us as we delve into key aspects of the job hunt, providing you with actionable tips and expert advice to increase your chances of success.

We Will Cover Selected Topics from:

Understanding the UK Job Market: Gain insights into the current job landscape in the UK, including popular industries, emerging sectors, and regional variations.
Crafting an Effective CV and Cover Letter: Learn how to tailor your CV and cover letter to match UK employers’ expectations. Discover the best practices for highlighting your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
Networking and Building Professional Relationships: Understand the significance of networking in the UK job market and learn practical strategies for connecting with industry professionals, attending events, and utilizing online platforms.
Job Search Strategies: Explore various job search methods, from online job boards to recruitment agencies, and uncover hidden job opportunities.
Interview Preparation: Master the art of preparing for job interviews in the UK, including common interview questions, cultural nuances, and how to showcase your suitability for the role.
Showcasing Transferable Skills: Learn how to present your transferable skills effectively, even if you’re changing industries or transitioning from a different country’s job market.
Salary Negotiation: Understand the intricacies of salary negotiation in the UK, from researching market rates to confidently discussing compensation packages.
Cultural Etiquette in the Workplace: Familiarise yourself with workplace norms, etiquette, and communication styles that are common in the UK business environment.
Q&A Session: At the end of the webinar, we’ll have a live Q&A session where you can ask your specific questions to our panel of experts.

Whether you’ve previously participated in the FOCUS Career Development Programme or not, this webinar is designed for everyone. You’ll discover intriguing facts and valuable tips about the UK job market.

FOCUS Webinar – Unlocking Career Opportunities in the UK

Are you ready to kickstart your career in the United Kingdom?

We Will Cover Selected Topics from:

Understanding the UK Job Market: Gain insights into the current job landscape in the UK, including popular industries, emerging sectors, and regional variations.
Crafting an Effective CV and Cover Letter: Learn how to tailor your CV and cover letter to match UK employers’ expectations. Discover the best practices for highlighting your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
Networking and Building Professional Relationships: Understand the significance of networking in the UK job market and learn practical strategies for connecting with industry professionals, attending events, and utilizing online platforms.
Job Search Strategies: Explore various job search methods, from online job boards to recruitment agencies, and uncover hidden job opportunities.
Interview Preparation: Master the art of preparing for job interviews in the UK, including common interview questions, cultural nuances, and how to showcase your suitability for the role.
Showcasing Transferable Skills: Learn how to present your transferable skills effectively, even if you’re changing industries or transitioning from a different country’s job market.
Salary Negotiation: Understand the intricacies of salary negotiation in the UK, from researching market rates to confidently discussing compensation packages.
Cultural Etiquette in the Workplace: Familiarise yourself with workplace norms, etiquette, and communication styles that are common in the UK business environment.
Q&A Session: At the end of the webinar, we’ll have a live Q&A session where you can ask your specific questions to our panel of experts.

FOCUS Career Development Programme Introduction

Now is the time for tomorrow’s solutions. Discover our Career Development Programme and get curious about what it can bring to your career path! This Career Development Programme offers you all the support needed in your reflection.

We offer 2 different packages depending on your situation and your objectives. Either you wish to continue in your field or explore new potential directions.

EXPLORERS for people looking for new opportunities and a career change.
FAST-TRACKERS for people who know what role they want but need support navigating the UK job market.

Decoding British interviews
how to interpret what is said and not said

by Victoria Rennoldson / 24 September 2022

When job searching in the UK, it can be challenging to decode what is really going on within the interview process because the British communication style can be experienced as indirect by some cultures. In addition to this, some interviewers are deliberately guarded with their communication and body language, and the added dimension of virtual interviews which continue to be popular can become even more of a challenge.

Despite your best efforts, you may be left wondering after the interview whether it went well, if they are still considering your application with others, or if they do not consider you are the right candidate for the role at all.

I will share some key phrases you may hear and what they actually translate to in more direct language. Then, we will explore clarifying techniques because when you are experiencing indirect communication, it is important to explore and see if you can gain a better picture of the situation to manage your expectations. Since you do not want to come across as too pushy or demanding, I will also share how to appropriately clarify information within an interview.

First of all, what you might hear in the interview when you ask for more details about the role:

The successful candidate would be expected to…

In this role, you are expected to…

If hired, you would work on…

When you start, your first priority would be…

Notice the answers on the left are impersonal and non-committal, as they are talking about the successful candidate in the third person, using the conditional ‘would’. This suggests a neutral, or perhaps even negative view, as they are not specifically referring to you in the role.

On the right-hand side, however, you can see that they are already envisaging you starting in the role, working on the projects (use of the present tense, and ‘when’ instead of ‘if’), as there is a strong positive message that you are likely to go through to the next round.

When you ask for details about the next steps in the interview process, you may hear this:

We’re still interviewing a lot of other candidates
in the next few days.

We’ll be in touch. We’ll get back to you soon.

The next stage would be….

We’re meeting with some additional candidates over the next couple of days, but we’ll contact you by early next week.

We look forward to meeting you again.

The next stage is an interview with the senior manager in two weeks’ time.

Unfortunately, the messages on the left are at best neutral, but at worst suggest that this has not been a successful interview for you. They are generic replies and hard to interpret, using avoidance and delaying techniques.

However, if they answer with specific details such as when they will reply to you, or they look forward to seeing you again, or what the next stage of the recruitment process involves (who you will meet, the style of interview, the timing), then this can give you more positive expectations.

What you might hear in the final stages of the interview:

I don’t want to take up too much of your time…

What is your notice period?

What are your salary expectations?

We are looking for somebody to start in November.

A good way to decode the interview and understand how well you have done, is what happens in the final part of the interview.
If you find the interview runs late, you notice the positive, engaged body language of the people interviewing you, and the interview turns into a more casual, informal conversation, then these are good indicators that it has gone well.
In addition, notice that specific questions about your notice period with your current employer, salary expectations and indications of their ideal start timings for the role, are also positive signals.
Although most job roles would have a salary range shared with the job description, detailed discussions about salary always come at the end of the recruitment process, just before they want to make you an offer. They are establishing what you are looking for and how this matches their salary budget.

Now let’s move onto clarifying: imagine you have heard more of the neutral or negative messages during the interview, but you are not sure. What can you do?
It is worth clarifying, using appropriate questions, so you come across as genuinely interested in the role, without sounding too demanding or pushy.

Here are some useful examples of clarifying questions that you can ask:

Could I check, who would I meet at the next stage?

Could you please confirm when you can come back to me about the next steps?

Do you think you will come back to me next week?

I wish you lots of luck and success in applying for jobs in the UK, and I hope these ideas on how to interpret communication during the interview process will help you feel more confident in clarifying your position. If you have any questions, please do contact me. I am always very happy to chat and answer your specific questions.

Victoria Rennoldson is a communication and culture coach working with international professionals and teams to be communicative and culturally confident, so they can build connections and relationships when relocating to the UK and working in global teams. She is the founder and CEO of Perfect Cuppa English, an expert speaker and writer on communication and culture, and a regular contributor to FOCUS.
You can find out about her training, follow or connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ victoria-rennoldson.

This article is taken from the Sep-Dec issue of the FOCUS magazine