We recently hosted our first Ambitions Day – a dynamic event orchestrated by our dedicated Careers & Progression Advisor, Mrs. Sarah Singlehurst. The day consisted of a series of enlightening sessions, inspiring pupils from Year 7 to Sixth Form to explore and envision their future career paths.
Ambitions Day featured an impressive line-up of guest speakers – largely from local employers – who shared valuable insights and engaged pupils in a variety of thought-provoking activities. Among the highlights were presentations from Test Valley Borough Council, 350+ NHS Careers, University of Winchester, a former Rookwood pupil turned commercial pilot, and Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium.
Guests from Test Valley Borough Council enlightened pupils about various areas, including landscaping, HR, building management, strategy and innovation, policies, and housing. 350+ NHS Careers staff discussed the various careers, both clinical and non-clinical, available within the NHS. The University of Winchester engaged pupils with an insightful talk about education and careers available following graduation. Additionally, Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium set up a fantastic planetarium and delivered an insightful talk in the school’s Sports Hall.
James Moody, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Test Valley Borough Council, commented on the event, saying, “It was great to see young minds eager to explore diverse career possibilities. Rookwood School’s Ambitions Day provided a great platform for pupils to gain valuable insights into various fields, fostering a spirit of curiosity and ambition, and the team from Test Valley Borough Council were delighted to be involved.”
Tyler Maclachlan, a former Rookwood pupil and now a fully trained commercial pilot about to start flying for EasyJet, shared his inspiring journey, emphasising the benefits of gaining part-time work alongside education to boost life skills and work experience.
Reflecting on the success of Ambitions Day, Mrs. Singlehurst, said: “After months of planning, I was beyond thrilled to see Rookwood School’s Ambitions Day come to fruition. Witnessing pupils engage with such enthusiasm and curiosity was incredibly rewarding. My aim now will be to continue providing valuable guidance to help them navigate their future paths.”
Year 10 student Oliver expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s so great to have the support of Mrs Singlehurst to help us figure out what we might want to do. Having Mrs Singlehurst will help ensure we don’t struggle trying to work out what we want to do and end up making last-minute decisions.”
