Careers Week and Marines Special Guest

As part of Careers Week, we were delighted to welcome a very special visitor to Selwyn Hall School – a Royal Marine Commando – who came to talk to our pupils about careers in the Armed Forces.

The visit was particularly exciting for some of our students who are already members of the cadets. They were thrilled to meet a ‘real-life’ serving soldier before he embarked on his next tour and enjoyed hearing first-hand about life as a Royal Marine. Our visitor spoke about his own journey into the Marines, explaining the pathway he took, the dedication and determination needed to complete the rigorous training, and the rewarding experiences he has had throughout his career.

The pupils learnt about the important qualities required to become a Royal Marine, including resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment and perseverance. They also discovered how these skills can be valuable in many different careers and everyday life, making the session both inspiring and thought-provoking.

There was plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved. Our visitor put the children through their paces with some marching and saluting commands, giving them a small taste of military drill. The pupils enthusiastically took part and thoroughly enjoyed the practical element of the session.

One of the highlights of the visit was the chance to try on some of the equipment worn by a Royal Marine, including his body armour and helmet. The children were amazed by how heavy the protective gear was, with many commenting on the weight of the helmet, vest and jacket. One pupil even joked that, while they might enjoy the training, “the helmet would ruin my hair!”, much to everyone’s amusement!

The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer opportunity, where pupils asked thoughtful questions about military life, training and the different career opportunities available within the Armed Forces. Those already considering a future in the military found the visit especially inspiring.

We would like to thank our Royal Marine Commando for taking the time to visit Selwyn Hall School during Careers Week. His enthusiasm, honesty and willingness to share his experiences gave our pupils a fascinating insight into life in the Armed Forces and encouraged them to think about the many different pathways they can take in the future.