Students Shine at Camden Council’s We Make Camden Summit 2026

Key Points

• Students from schools across Camden participated in the “We Make Camden Summit” for the first time, engaging in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities and ensuring young voices were heard.
• Julia Oduro from Acland Burghley School featured in a Summit video presented to over 300 partners, highlighting her marketing placement at Havas, a leading global communications company.
• Balen Ebrahim from Haverstock School met Summit attendees as part of the exhibition, speaking directly with local businesses and sector leaders.
• Both students shared first-hand experiences of studying for T Levels, a new two-year technical qualification equivalent to three A Levels for students aged 16 and above, emphasising industry placements, real-world projects, and employer engagement that build skills, confidence, and career aspirations.
• Students conversed with Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of the London Borough of Camden, impressing him with their professionalism and confidence.
• Eleven students from the London AI Campus—a partnership between Google, Camden Council, and Camden Learning—gave presentations on machine learning projects and fielded questions on topics like “what it means to be human in a digital world.”
• The London AI Campus presentation drew a large audience, with a lively Q&A session where students confidently shared AI experiences; this led to Camden Council requesting an AI masterclass from the students to upskill staff.
• Caroline Dean, Head of STEAM and Partnerships at Camden Learning, praised the students’ confidence and the event’s role in showcasing their technical knowledge, professionalism, ambition, and community engagement.
• The Summit celebrated collaboration, innovation, and Camden’s future talent, placing student voices at the heart of discussions.

Camden, London (North London News) February 26, 2026 – Students from schools across Camden expressed delight at having their voices heard at this year’s “We Make Camden Summit,” a landmark event organised by Camden Council that marked the first inclusion of young people engaged in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities.

The Summit provided a platform for pupils to engage directly with over 300 partners, including local businesses, sector leaders, and council officials, transforming the gathering into a vibrant space where the perspectives of Camden’s youth were not only welcome but central to the conversations.

What Made This Year’s Summit Historic for Camden Students?

This year’s “We Make Camden Summit” stood out as the inaugural occasion where students immersed in Camden’s STEAM initiatives actively participated, as highlighted in coverage from local education outlets.

Previously focused on adult stakeholders, the event evolved to amplify young voices, fostering a more inclusive dialogue on the borough’s future.

Two students particularly shone by stepping forward to share their personal journeys with T Levels—a pioneering two-year technical qualification launched for 16-plus students and equivalent in rigour to three A Levels.

These qualifications integrate classroom learning with substantial industry placements, real-world projects, and direct employer involvement, equipping participants with practical skills, boosted confidence, and clearer career pathways.

Julia Oduro, a student from Acland Burghley School, featured prominently in a Summit video screened to the full audience of more than 300 partners.

The footage captured the profound impact of her marketing placement at Havas, the leading global communications company, where she gained hands-on experience that underscored the value of such opportunities.

Meanwhile, Balen Ebrahim from Haverstock School engaged attendees during the Summit’s exhibition segment.

Speaking directly with local businesses and sector leaders, both Julia and Balen articulated how their T Level experiences—encompassing industry placements, real-world projects, and employer engagement—have honed their skills, confidence, and career aspirations.

Their poise did not go unnoticed.

The Camden students relished a direct conversation with Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of the London Borough of Camden, where they impressed him with their professionalism and confidence, as noted in post-event reports from Camden Council channels.

Who Were the Standout T Level Students and What Did They Share?

Julia Oduro’s contribution via the Summit video was a highlight, illustrating the tangible benefits of her time at Havas.

As reported in Camden Learning’s official recap, the video “captured the impact of her marketing placement at Havas, a leading global communications company,” bringing her story to life for hundreds of viewers.

Balen Ebrahim complemented this by mingling at the exhibition, where he and Julia fielded questions from industry figures. Together, they explained the T Level model’s strengths: how industry placements immerse students in professional environments, real-world projects simulate workplace challenges, and employer engagement bridges education with employment opportunities.

These interactions exemplified the Camden STEAM programme’s goals, blending technical expertise with soft skills like communication and ambition.

How Did the London AI Campus Students Captivate the Audience?

Beyond T Levels, the Summit spotlighted the London AI Campus, a collaborative venture between Google, Camden Council, and Camden Learning.

This initiative seeks to enhance young people’s digital and AI literacy while linking them to promising career prospects in technology.

Eleven students from the Campus delivered compelling presentations on their machine learning projects, fielding probing questions from delegates. Topics ranged from practical applications of AI to philosophical queries, such as

“what it means to be human in a digital world.”

The session attracted a substantial crowd, with the ensuing Question and Answer segment allowing audience members to hear unfiltered insights from the students on their hands-on experiences with AI tools and learning. The pupils responded with notable confidence to a room packed with engaged professionals, demonstrating maturity beyond their years.

What Opportunities Emerged from the AI Presentations?

The presentation’s success reverberated immediately. Off the back of it, a team from Camden Council approached the students to inquire whether they could deliver an AI masterclass aimed at upskilling council colleagues.

The Campus is now exploring this prospect, signalling growing recognition of youth expertise in emerging fields.

This development underscores the Summit’s role in not just showcasing talent but catalysing real-world applications, as echoed in attendee feedback circulated via council newsletters.

What Did Key Figures Say About the Students’ Contributions?

Caroline Dean, Head of STEAM and Partnerships at Camden Learning, provided a glowing assessment in a statement released post-event. As quoted directly from Camden Learning’s press materials:

“We were very proud to see Julia, Balen and the AI Campus students speaking so confidently at the ‘We Make Camden Summit’ and ensuring that young people in our borough have a voice.”

She continued:

“Opportunities like this allow young people to demonstrate not only their technical knowledge, but their professionalism, ambition and ability to engage with industry and their wider community, qualities that are central aims within the Camden STEAM programme.”

Dean further noted:

“The council’s summit was the perfect moment to celebrate the ambition and talent of young people in the borough, and Camden Learning was delighted to be part of it.”

Councillor Richard Olszewski’s interactions, though not directly quoted in available dispatches, were described as highly positive, with students leaving a lasting impression through their demeanour.

Why Was the ‘We Make Camden Summit’ a Celebration of Youth Talent?

Overall, the “We Make Camden Summit” emerged as a powerful endorsement of collaboration, innovation, and Camden’s burgeoning talent pool. By centring student voices, it bridged generational divides, allowing young participants to influence discussions on education, skills development, and future employability.

The event’s structure—featuring videos, exhibitions, presentations, and Q&As—created dynamic forums for exchange. For the first time, STEAM-focused students joined the fray, elevating the Summit from a stakeholder forum to a true celebration of the borough’s youth.

This inclusivity aligns with broader Camden Council priorities, emphasising education as a cornerstone of community prosperity. Reports from local media, including education blogs and council sites, portrayed the day as transformative, with students not merely present but pivotal.

What Is the Future Impact of Student Involvement in Camden Events?

Looking ahead, the Summit sets a precedent for amplified youth participation in Camden’s civic life. The AI masterclass request exemplifies potential ripple effects, where student-led initiatives could upskill public servants and inspire similar programmes.

T Level advocates like Julia and Balen have illuminated pathways for peers, potentially boosting uptake in technical qualifications amid national pushes for skilled workforces. As Camden navigates post-pandemic recovery and technological shifts, events like this reinforce the borough’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.

In a landscape where young voices often struggle for airtime, the “We Make Camden Summit” proved a resounding success, delighting participants and leaving stakeholders optimistic about collaborative futures.