Sheffield school welcomes influential role models to launch ambassador programme

Hartley Brook Primary School, in Shiregreen, welcomed three role models who live and work in the region to kick off its new Inspire Ambassadors Programme on Friday, February 14.

Attendees included Roger Cheetham, a former pub landlord turned inspirational speaker from Barnsley who suffered lifelong injuries as a result of an attempted murder in June 2013, Paddy Samengo-Turner, a geotechnical engineer at Sheffield-based Arup, and Isobel Cottam, an assistant statistician at the Department for Education.

They took part in a celebration assembly in which they each spoke about their fields of expertise.

Mr Cheetham said: "What a heart-warming experience it was, to see the eyes of the pupils of Hartley Brook light up, when they saw that staff and visitors alike had true belief in them. I really look forward to working with this school moving forward."

During the day the ‘VIPs’ were interviewed by the school council as part of a full programme of activities for pupils which aims to give students experiences with role models both in and out of school, offering opportunities such as work shadowing motivational speeches, and mentoring.

They were the first in a number of ambassadors to join the school’s network, which will soon include others such as former semi-professional rugby league player and entrepreneur, Mark Slatter and Bethany Anderson, HR lead for Pretty Little Thing in Tinsley.

Principal Jim Garbutt said: “To see and hear our new ambassadors sparking the ambition of our pupils is what this is all about. Our pupils, however young, are already thinking about their future thanks to the varied opportunities we offer. There are so many career paths available to them, in Sheffield and beyond.

“We want to instil a confidence in them that they can be the best they can be, that they can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication, which they already have in spades! We are so grateful of this support and look forward to introducing more inspiring ambassadors to our children soon.”