This is the last of our updates on students at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes.  We learned last academic year about Ciara’s aspirations to become a Paediatric Social Worker.  Read on to find out how her journey with school is progressing:

‘This year I have had some amazing opportunities!

I began the year by performing at Alder Hey hospital as they switched on the Christmas lights. I was honoured to be part of the choir that was selected from choirs across Merseyside to work with the wonderful staff at Alder Hey. We must have made an impression, as we were invited back to celebrate the 70^th birthday of the NHS at the beginning of July.

I have also performed as part of a show at the Liverpool Echo Arena as part of ‘Bootle to Broadway’ it was inspiring to perform at such a prestigious venue, if a bit nerve wracking. This has really helped to build my confidence and I hope to be performing at many large venues in the future. Who knows? Maybe even the real Broadway.

After taking part in a year of fundraising and working hard to improve our sound and ensemble skills, the Hawthorne’s Choir embarked upon our annual London theatre trip in June to see Matilda!

Students participated in a musical theatre workshop at Pineapple Studios where we performed ‘Revolting Children’ Hawthorne’s style. This developed our musicianship and understanding of the stamina required as a professional artist on stage. The workshop was delivered by a current ensemble member of the Matilda cast and gave me a real insight in to the professionalism of theatre performers.

Since the last time we spoke, I have been on a journey of self-discovery in terms of my future ambitions and realised that my goal has changed. I now aspire to work in education, as after speaking to staff I discovered teaching is an area I may be more suited to instead of social work.

I am currently exploring whether I would like to teach in the faculty of Science or English and I hope to develop my leadership skills in this area by taking up as many voluntary opportunities as possible. I currently take part in a range of leadership roles in both drama and reading.  I am developing my leadership capacity every day and taking up every opportunity.

I look forward to working towards this future aspiration.’

Well done to Ciara and we look forward to hearing her next chapter at King’s Hawthornes.