Inspiring Bradford, a celebratory week of events took place in primary and secondary schools across the city to raise and broaden the aspirations of young people in Bradford. Each event had a real buzz as volunteers, both local and national, visited schools to talk to the young people of Bradford about their careers and inspired them to broaden their horizons.
To see all of the pictures please click here.
Day 1: Inspiring Bradford launch – Beckfoot Heaton Primary School, Friday 13th October
The launch of Inspiring Bradford week took place at Beckfoot Heaton Primary School. A Primary Future themed extravaganza, this event saw a range of people from the business and economy sector talking to children to inspire their learning. The event started with a ‘What’s My Line?’ assembly which the students compered themselves! A firefighter in head-to-toe uniform and a poem recited by Imran Hafeez were just two of the ways the panel revealed their jobs. The assembly was followed by a presentation by Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General CBI, who talked about the world of work and the importance of economics. This was followed by classroom chats which involved a huge range of volunteers.
Volunteers:
| Aamnah Rahman | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Adeeba Malik CBE | QED |
| Adele Dolby | The Prince’s Responsible Business Network |
| Andy Mellor | National Association of Head Teachers |
| Ann Mroz | TES |
| Beckie Hart | CBI (Confederation of British Industry) |
| Brian Morgan | Univar EMEA |
| Carolyn Fairbairn | CBI (Confederation of British Industry) |
| CBI Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe | Bradford Council |
| Cllr Imran Khan | Bradford Council |
| Damon Boxer | Department of Education |
| Deborah Pocock LVO | Royal Warrant Holders Association |
| Eleisha Edwards | Independent singer |
| Gaggan Sabherwal | BBC |
| Gill Arnold | Founder of Community Champions in Bradford |
| Ian McIntosh | Self employed |
| Ian White | EduSupport |
| Imran Hafeez | Bradford Literacy Hub |
| Jane Balderstone | Department of Education |
| Jean Burlingham | The Insolvency Service |
| Kersten England | Bradford Council |
| Mark Mon Williams | University of Leeds |
| Michael Jameson | Department of Children’s Services |
| Nicola Berry | Engie |
| Paul Smithson | Alzheimers Society |
| Phil Hunter | Bradford Council |
| Ros Flint | Caridnal Hume Catholic School |
| Shabir Hussain | Akbars |
| Shirley Congdon | University of Bradford |
| Simon Hinchcliffe | Bradford Grammar |
| Sophie Hughes | Arris |
| Stephanie Davies | Laughology |
| Usman Ali | Ministry of Justice |
| Vanessa Lee | EY (Ernst Young London) |
| Zamila Bunglawala | Cabinet Office |
Day 2: Diversity event – multiple schools, Monday 16th October
The multi school event saw local secondary schools invite primary children to participate in a day of activities including inspirational talks, careers carousels and workshops. Schools that took part included Parkside, Hanson, Carlton Bolling and UAK and just under 40 primary schools participated in these events.
Volunteers:
| Adele Dolby | The Prince’s Responsible Business Network |
| Alice Carroll | |
| Angela Wright | Freelance Artist |
| Azzra | |
| Brian Morgan | Univar EMEA |
| Claire Blacka | Home Group |
| Diana | Specsavers Opticians Bradford & Girlington |
| Esther Horner | Department for Education |
| Gohar | Deafintions |
| Hannah Walker | Csacaid |
| Helen Barraclough | Bradford College |
| Janet Smith Harrison | Bradford University satem centre |
| Jenny Carlyle | Suma Wholesale |
| Jenny Cryer | Bradford Council |
| Kelly Deegan | Barclays Group |
| Linda Peltier Binns | BMDC |
| Luke Postlethwaite | Aspire |
| Mohammad Isreb, PhD | University of Bradford |
| Noreen Khan | Neesie |
| Paul | Specsavers Opticians Bradford & Girlington |
| Paul Smithson | Alzheimers Society |
| Phil Forster | Leeds Bradford Airport |
| Phil Cavallier – Lumley | Junior Chamber Commerce |
| Ruby Sohal | Connect Business Support |
| Shabir Hussain | Akbars |
| shakeel aziz | Star Youth Project KLY |
| Taj Salam | Councillor |
| Usman Ali | Ministry of Justice |
Day 3: Women in Science – Horton Grange, Tuesday 17th October
This STEM focused event celebrated the roles of women in science and gave children from Horton Grange Primary school the chance to ask scientists a range of questions about their career. The ‘What’s My Line?’ panel included six different volunteers with careers in the science sector. Dame Mary Archer, Chair of The Science Museums Group, spoke about the importance of science and inspired the children of Horton Grange.
Volunteers:
| Carys Schofield | Jacobs |
| Dame Mary Archer | The Science Group |
| Dr Barbara J. Brooks | University of Leeds |
| Dr Cath Waller | University of Hull |
| Dr Christine Beedham | University of Bradford |
| Dr Liz Breen | University of Bradford (Faculty of Management and Law) |
| Dr Maria Katsikogianni | University of Bradford |
| Dr Philip Drake | University of Bradford |
| Dr Rianne Lord | University of Bradford |
| Dr Sahdia Parveen | University of Bradford |
| Helen Cook | University of Bradford |
| Jenny Waby | University of Bradford |
| Jo Quinton-Tulloch | National Science and Media Museum |
| Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman | University of Bradford |
| Mufaiz Rasool | One Stop Building Service |
| Nadeem Javid | University of Bradford |
| Sarah Lewis | Department for Education |
| Thusitha De Silva Amarasekera | GP Leadership Fellows in Leeds |
| Professor Uduak Archibong | University of Bradford |
| Yana Georgieva | Jacobs |
| Yunus Mussa Mayat | City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council |
Day 4: Arts and Creativity event – St Matthews CE Primary School and Nursery, Wednesday 18th October
This event celebrated the arts sector with St Matthew’s CE Primary School and Nursery, it certainly got those creative minds roaming by introducing pupils to a wide range of wonderful careers within the arts sector. The ‘What’s My Line?’ panel included a diverse panel of volunteers including Lloyd Thompson an ex-pupil who reveal his job through a breakdance!
Volunteers:
| Alex Berry | Bradford Cathedral |
| Alison Cullingford | University of Bradford |
| Angela Wright | Freelance |
| Chamak Kunar | Oriental Arts Bradford Limited |
| Damien O’Keeffe | Bradford School of Art & The Northern School of Creative Industries |
| Hazel Leonard | H M Training Ltd |
| Isam Batool | H M Training Ltd |
| Jacobo Eliez Gomez | University of Bradford |
| Keisha Hamilton | Northern Ballet |
| Lloyd Thompson | Tranquil Productions |
| Mr Nilesh Mistry | City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council |
| Stefanie Stead | Stead & Co. (Architects) |
Day 5: Routes to Apprenticeships and University – Samuel Lister Academy, Thursday 19th October
Secondary school students of Samuel Lister Academy spent the day exploring the diverse variety of routes available to them post-education. Volunteers were invited to discuss apprenticeships, university and starting your own business at this Career Footsteps event. Nicola Brentnall MVO the Director of the Queen’s Trust and Joannes Paulus Yimbesalu co-founder of HOPE For Children Cameroon also delivered an inspiring talk to year 11 and post-16 students.
Volunteers:
| Angela Wright | Freelance |
| Em Walton | British Gypsum |
| Geoffrey Render | Different Strokes Charity |
| Helen Jordan | Thread of Life |
| Jacobo Eliez Gomez | University of Bradford |
| Joanna Moorehead | Social Mobility Foundation |
| Kirsty Williams | Hallmark |
| Lisa Snowden | Woodspeen Training |
| Nicky Barratt | Home Group |
| Paul Smithson | Alzheimers Society |
| Tasif Khan | Professional Boxer |
| Tazila Samun | Department of Health |
| Usman Ali | Ministry of Justice |
A range of other primary schools also celebrated Inspiring Bradford through hosting events to inspire their children.
Eldwick Primary School, Friday 13th October
| Alexandra Clegg | Fundamentals4all |
| Professor Engobo Emeseh | University of Bradford |
| Julia Beaumont | University of Bradford |
Westbourne Primary School, Monday 16th October
| Phillip Ross | University of Bradford |
| Paul Thorning | University of Bradford |
Killinghall Primary School, Tuesday 17th October
| Kathryn Moorhouse | Schofield Sweeney |
| Lynn Bolton | HM Revenue & Customs |
| Michelle Bateson | GMB |
| Dr. Sanjit Nayak | University of Bradford |
| Kim Hobson | Department for Work and Pensions |
Priestthorpe Primary School, Wednesday 18th October
| Geoffrey Render | Different Strokes Charity |
| Dr. Jill Thompson | University of Bradford |
| Brendan Barrett | University of Bradford |
| Victoria Smith | Worth Valley Private Day Nursery |
| Sue Maiden | Worth Valley Private Day Nursery |
| Dr. Christine Beedham | University of Bradford |
Peel Park Primary School, Thursday 19th October
| Dave Dickens | Incommunities |
| Brendan Barrett | University of Bradford |
| Aamnah Rahman | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Yaseen Mohammed | YProperty Ltd |
Eastwood Community School, Thursday 19th October
| Karen Cobb | HM Revenue & Customs |
We’d like to extend a massive thank you to all the volunteers and schools who took part in Inspiring Bradford to ensure it was a success. This week was just a start of what we’d like to achieve in Bradford. If you’re a school or a employer in the local area make sure you get involved by signing up to Inspiring the Future.
To see further coverage from the week: