Youngster scoops top prize in national careers contest with heartfelt message to NHS staff

A 10-year-old girl from Leicester has been crowned national winner of Health Education England’s (HEE) Step into the NHS primary school competition as the health service marks its 71^st birthday.

Daisy Curran produced a booklet saying ‘thank you’ to the NHS, along with a poem and comic strip showing her knowledge about NHS jobs. She joined fellow pupils from Brocks Hill Primary School to show their appreciation for the health service at a special photo shoot.

The Step into the NHS contest aims to raise awareness about the breadth of roles in the health service, raise aspirations and challenge gender stereotypes. Friday, July 5, marks 71 years since the founding of the NHS.

A delighted Daisy said:

“Taking part in Step into the NHS was a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed learning about the different jobs in the NHS and creating my booklet to say thank you. I’m very proud to have won the national competition.”

Sim Street, Community Partnership Lead, Brocks Hill Primary School, commented:

“When I started to receive the children’s ‘Step into the NHS’ competition entries, I felt incredibly proud of the work they’d produced - so many heartfelt messages showing how valued the NHS is by our school community.

“Daisy spent a considerable amount of time on her entry and I knew it was worth the wait when I saw it. I’m delighted she’s been recognised for her hard work.”

Schools were given free educational resources explaining a variety of NHS jobs, from nurses and surgeons to IT professionals and scientists. Pupils explored the past, present and future of the NHS and its careers, culminating in them designing a piece of artwork expressing thanks to the NHS and its staff.

The 2018/19 national primary school competition received 629 entries from schools across the country.

Michele Walton, Head Teacher, Brocks Hill Primary School, said:

“We work incredibly hard at Brocks Hill to ensure that our children develop as global citizens. Daisy’s entry was particularly impressive because she demonstrated her different experiences of the NHS, not just the work that they do but also their commitment to gender equality and the variety of roles available. We are very proud of Daisy’s achievement and how well she has represented herself and our school.”

Professor Ian Cumming OBE, Chief Executive, Health Education England said:

“Inspiring the next generation of NHS staff has never been more important. Step into the NHS supports this by showcasing its fantastic careers.

“I’m delighted to see how many entries the first year of the primary school competition has received. The children have been so creative, and I’m especially encouraged by the grasp they have shown of the wide range of jobs within the health service.

"I’d like to give my thanks to all the pupils who entered this year, and particularly congratulate our national and regional winners.”

Daisy and seven other regional winners from across England have been awarded Amazon vouchers.

More information about Step into the NHS can be found at: https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/primary