A Michelin-starred chef and a Euro 2012 footballer headed back to the classroom for a careers event at a Solihull school.
TV cook Glynn Purnell and Birmingham-born player Sean St Ledger faced a grilling from pupil at the speed dating-style event at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Chelmsley Wood.
Among the others to face questions about their job were a managing director, a barrister, a financial advisor – and even a professional clown.
The Year 5 and 6 pupils had just two minutes to ask a group of 30 professionals about the world of work before switching seats.
Father-of-three Mr Purnell, whose seven-year-old son Oliver is a pupil at the school, said: “I like doing events like this in schools, especially around Chelmsley Wood because it’s where I’m from. It’s about showing kids that they can succeed in anything if they put their mind to it and work hard.
“Whether you aspire to be a chef, footballer, policeman or road sweeper, its about being the best you can be.”
Also taking part in the event with Mr Purnell and Leicester City centre-half Mr St Ledger was an optician, a fireman, a civil engineer, nurse and a sports coach.
Deputy head teacher Cieran Flaherty, who organised the event, said: “This was a way to let the children meet people they wouldn’t normally meet every day and give them a chance to find out about different jobs and raise their aspirations.”
