LOCAL SCHOOL WINS TOP PRIZE
BY STEPPING OUT OF THE CLASSROOM & INTO THE NHS 

 
Hurst Lodge School is delighted to announce that pupil, Milly  from year 7 has won the South Central regional prize for the first ever Step into the NHS schools competition.   The Step into the NHS competition was designed to encourage children aged 12-14 to think laterally about health service careers and their future work prospects. 

Milly  won with her job description for an occupational therapist for Frimley Park Hospital.  She recognised that the role of an occupational therapist is to help with the rehabilitation and re-motivation of people who have had difficulties with every day living.  She also highlighted that the role provided excellent career progression opportunities and that it is possible to either specialise or move into a research position.

Statistically, almost 1 child in every class in England is likely to work for the NHS in the future.  However 70% of teenagers surveyed have never considered working for the NHS because they aren’t aware of the career options available. When asked to give their perceptions of the NHS over half of young people polled (57%) associated it entirely with hospitals and medical professionals.  A large number of teenagers surveyed didn’t associate non-medical jobs such as architect (74%), carpenter (83%) and IT trainer (63%) with the NHS.    Yet with over 350 different roles and 1.3 million employees, the health service means more than being a doctor or a nurse. 

The winner Milly  from year 7 impressed the judging panel by demonstrating a broad understanding of the different roles in the NHS and by taking a creative approach to the competition brief. 

A winner’s presentation took place today (1st June) at the school.  The ceremony was attended by Danielle Calvert who will present the prizes. 

Miss V S Smit, Head Mistress of Hurst Lodge School says: “We are delighted to have won this prize.  It’s great to see pupils thinking creatively about the different types of roles in the health service and to see how these fit into the broad spectrum of the NHS.  We are extremely proud of Milly  and her achievement “

Danielle Calvert - Head of Paediatric Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, NHS Berkshire East – said: “When people think of working in the NHS occupational therapy might not always be the first types of career that come to mind. So it was really refreshing to see the Hurst Lodge entry looking at life as an Occupational Therapist and reflecting the diversity of the job. Working as an OT and helping people to overcome the physical, psychological or social problems arising from illness or disability is a demanding career choice but the rewards of seeing someone progress and achieve are limitless.”

Alan Simmons, a Careers Consultant at NHS Careers, says: "Congratulations to (insert name of winner/s) for their fantastic competition entry - hopefully their efforts will inspire many others to step out of the classroom and into the NHS.  Students taking part in the NHS Careers schools competition had certainly taken a lot of time and effort in their entries. Those that made the final 10 demonstrated a wealth of creativity and ideas in their entries and had clearly done their research. It made the judging quite a challenge!"

"Our aim with the competition was to try and broaden young people's horizons when it comes to perceptions of the NHS and the career prospects available to them.  Many young people today want to work in an environment that is stimulating and makes a positive difference to other people's lives.  The health service offers this and much more.  Among the 350 roles within the NHS there is an opportunity for everyone to develop a skill set and begin a real career."

Page last updated on: 12 Apr 2010