As part of our extensive Career Planning programme, we are visited throughout the year by industry practitioners from a diverse range of sectors. Speakers focus on delivering inspirational sessions to students in Years 9 and 10; this helps to broaden career ideas and raise aspirations.

Our most recent speaker was newly-qualified Midwife, Roz Middleton, pictured right, who talked about Midwifery as a profession in the NHS. The session attracted a large number of students who were all interested to hear about the qualifications needed to gain a place on a Midwifery course at university and what the training involved.

Mrs Middleton discussed the high entry requirements needed for Midwifery courses and explained why extensive medical knowledge is needed. Many think only of the obvious joy of midwifery as a profession but the reality of the job is that even in modern day childbirth, things don't always go according to plan and often difficult medical decisions have to be made to save lives.

She also talked candidly about the many rewards and challenges of the job, and even found an innovative way to demonstrate contractions using balloons! Our eager students were able to ask questions at the end of the session and many left inspired to pursue a career in medicine.

So far this year, students have also attended informative sessions on careers within the Royal Navy; Optometry careers in a session delivered by Specsavers; and roles in Business with Akzonobel.