Kathryn Wilson will visit Lagan College as well as other schools here as part of the Share Your Story campaign to support and inspire children with their career directions
Kathryn Wilson, a BBC presenter and former Northern Ireland Radio DJ, will return to her old stomping ground of Lagan College this Wednesday 19 October, as part of a national BBC tour to celebrate the broadcasting organisation’s 100th anniversary.
The 33-year-old who spent her primary school years at Forge Integrated Primary School, Belfast and then onward to Lagan joins other BBC stars including Edith Bowman and Graham Norton, in returning to school to inspire young people to achieve their career goals and help realise their ambitions.
The campaign comes after research by BBC found that more than seven in ten 12-18 year-olds would like advice and support to help them decide on the next steps towards their future career.
Kathryn’s visit to Lagan College will see her chat with pupils and host a panel talk with career experts, BBC employees with inspirational stories and other Northern Ireland personalities.
She hopes her return here will help to promote the case for more integrated education here.
She says: “Hosting the Share Your Story campaign in Northern Ireland has been a great privilege. It’s been amazing meeting young people from across Northern Ireland and discussing careers and inspiring children where I can.
“Returning to Lagan College, where it all began for me, is going to be pretty special. Lagan College marked a turning point for the education system in Northern Ireland, being the first integrated school here 40 years ago. I look forward to a day when there is no longer an ‘us and them’ in Northern Ireland and Integrated Education becomes the norm. It will be an honour for me to say, on that day, that it was my school that began that change.”
She continues: “Share Your Story is an excellent campaign because it not only gives children the chance to see the opportunities that are out there post-school but it is a way of instilling confidence, prompting inspiration and really getting them to think about how big the world of opportunity is.
“Already I’ve been to schools in Newry, Omagh and Derry where I have hosted panel shows and the one thing I love about our young people here is their passion for the future. I can’t wait to visit Lagan and see the changes there and tell the young people about my journey.”
Amanda McNamee MBE, Principal at Lagan College said: “Kathryn Wilson is a great example of how integrated education can breed a can-do attitude and open up a host of opportunities. We are delighted to welcome Kathryn back to the school and look forward to listening to her story and seeing how it inspires our present students.”
Paul Caskey OBE, Head of Campaign, Integrated Education Fund, added “Kathryn is a great ambassador for the cause of integrated education. Earlier this year she flew over from London to host a 40th anniversary celebration of the opening of Lagan College, Northern Ireland’s first planned integrated school, at Belfast City Hall.”
For over a decade Kathryn’s presenting skills have seen her top the bill at Cool FM, Q Radio and more recently BBC Radio 1 across the UK.
She also is the voice and face behind many educational shows both on BBC and for brands throughout the UK.
The BBC’s landmark centenary education project, BBC 100 Share Your Story, resumed in September in schools across the UK.
The project aims to inspire young people to achieve their career goals and help them realise their ambitions.
More than 2000 face-to-face storytelling and careers sessions will be delivered in over 700 school visits across the UK in the next 15 weeks.
The tour will reach up to 10,000 students each day and over 400,000 teenagers by the end of the BBC’s centenary year.
A total of 35 BBC presenters, including Kathryn, 150 BBC staff storytellers, 300 career panellists and 100 BBC stars will take part in the sessions.
Related: Where Can I Take Kids for a Day Out in Belfast? The Ultimate Family Guide
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