Burton primary school pupil wins national NHS careers competition
A talented Year 4 pupil from Burton-on-Trent has been named as the national winner of the Step into the NHS careers competition in primary schools - celebrating the variety and diversity of roles across our hospitals and healthcare in the UK.
The poster by Aemilia, from the Thomas Russell Junior School in Burton, showcased the roles of a pharmacist, phlebotomist and physiotherapist to win the regional prize. Her artwork allowed her peers to take a step into the NHS by adding a mirror to her entry - to help everyone to "see yourself in an NHS career".
Alison Brailey, Chief Pharmacist at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, was on hand to present Aemilia with her award as national winner, and tell Aemilia and her classmates a little more about the different roles that contribute towards care for patients at UHDB, and far beyond our hospitals as well.
Aemilia, the winning pupil at Thomas Russell Junior School, said: “I was so happy when I found out I had won. I really liked making my picture and learning about the different jobs in the NHS. I want to say thank you to my teachers and my family for helping me.”
Claire Branson, Deputy Head at the Thomas Russell Junior School, said: “We are so proud of Aemilia and all our pupils who put so much time and effort into taking part in the competition. Aemilia is a wonderful artist, fantastically creative, and a joy to have in school.
“The Step into the NHS competition really opened our pupils’ eyes to the wide range of career opportunities in the NHS. We are already looking forward to getting involved again next year.”
More than 1,400 entries from over 1,500 pupils from all parts of England were submitted to the primary school competition — and the winning entries can be viewed here >.
Alison, Chief Pharmacist at UHDB, added: "A big congratulations and well done to Aemilia for creating such a fantastic poster. It was great to see how engaged she and her fellow pupils are in the wide variety of roles across the NHS, and it is really encouraging to think how interested the next generation is in contributing to caring for the patients and communities of the future."
Phil Carver, Midlands Regional Director of Workforce, Training and Education, at NHS England said: “Congratulations Aemilia for her winning entry to the Step into the NHS competition. Aemilia’s creativity and understanding of the NHS is truly inspiring. I really hope we’ll see her working in the NHS in the future.
“The NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England highlights the importance of widening access to NHS careers for students and breaking down stereotypes. Step into the NHS supports this by raising students’ career aspirations. They learn vital job seeking skills and that every career is open to them, no matter their background.”
Primary school students were asked to learn about some of the 350 different careers in the NHS and create a piece of artwork or writing about some of the roles that interested them. They were asked to highlight what someone in this role would do and their favourite thing about the role they had researched.
The national winner received a prize of a £50 Amazon voucher, goody bag and a framed national winner certificate. Her entry will also be displayed in her local community for all to see via a digital van.
Pictures courtesy of Richard Jarmy
