Kirkby High School hosts inspirational careers event

Students at Merseyside-based Kirkby High School have been inspired by a nuclear physicist at a special event aimed at driving career aspirations.

The event at the Knowsley secondary school saw students and staff uniting with Wigan based Hawkley High School.
Kirkby High School headteacher Bill Leyland said the careers day is one of a number of activities organised between the schools, designed to create new and inspiring experiences for students as well as share expertise and support.

Pupils from Year 7 heard from several guest speakers including Alan Brown, a nuclear physicist with the Science and Technology Facilities Council based in Daresbury.
“Alan regaled the pupils with the story of how he started life as a cleaner in the labs at Daresbury before embarking on a degree with the open university despite suffering from dyslexia,” said Mr Leyland.
“He battled adversity to reach the top of his profession, emphasising the importance of discipline, perseverance and ambition.

Students from both schools got a tremendous amount out of the day and were inspired by not just Alan but our other speakers as they examined the possibilities of a career in the science sector.

“
Other speakers included GP Dr Francis Cunningham and three undergraduates from Liverpool John Moores University who are studying pharmacology and marine biology. 
The Year 7s then researched 10 different careers within the sciences, including astronomy and pharmacology, and what courses and qualifications would best help them secure work in the future, particularly at North West universities.
 Pupils prepared presentations and made films, which they later showed, to classmates and teachers before the work by Leon Doyle, Megan McDermott, Paige Bannister, Joe Howarth, Findlay Rowe was chosen by teachers as overall winners.
Mr Leyland added: “These kind of events are geared towards inspiring our pupils to strive for greater achievement in the future and affirm the importance of education and good qualifications. Our recent GCSE results, which were the best in the school’s history, demonstrate the progress, which is being made to drive teaching and learning standards. We believe one of the greatest gifts you can give a young person is the qualifications they need to secure employment and pursue their passion.

At Kirkby High School we believe in ‘Excellence for All’ and our mission is to ensure every student is given a route to employment, further study or training.”