Year 13 pupils were inspired by an enrichment talk from travel writer and journalist Simon Parker, who shared his journey from a directionless teenager to a career reporting from some of the most remote places on the planet.

Drawing on experiences that range from hitchhiking across New Zealand to cycling thousands of miles across Britain and the USA, Simon spoke openly about how curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace discomfort helped him carve out a career in journalism and filmmaking, including work for the BBC and national newspapers.

His talk encouraged pupils to think about their futures, reminding them that ambition, hunger and perseverance matters as much as learning and qualifications, finding something which sparks curiosity and excitement can provide lifelong purpose and direction. 

“Set your sights higher than you think is possible — with desire and hard graft, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.” – Simon Parker