A talented year 5 student from St Helen and St Katharine School, in Abingdon-on-Thames and two year 8 students from Wildern School, Southampton have been named as the regional winners of the primary and secondary school Step into the NHS contests.

Emma from St Helen and St Katharine School designed an infographic poster to showcase the role of an NHS Orthoptist to win the regional Ket Stage 2 prize.

Primary school students were asked to learn about some of the 350 different careers in the NHS and create a piece of artwork or writing about some of the roles that interested them. They were asked to highlight what someone in this role would do and their favourite thing about the role they had researched.

Emma’s winning entry

Emma’s winning entry featured an artistic array of drawings, text and photographs, to explain the job and it’s importance.

On hearing of her win, Emma said: “I am so thrilled that my work has been selected as the regional winner. I hope others will be inspired to join the NHS as Orthoptists”.

Alfie and Arsh from Wildern School, Southampton were named as the regional winners for the secondary school competition, jointly creating a stop-motion animation to advertise Paramedic careers.

The secondary school competition asked students to explore the range of NHS careers and create a job advertisement for one which interested them. This gave students an opportunity to learn core transferable skills like creativity, teamwork and research whilst increasing awareness of NHS career opportunities.

A frame from Alfie and Arsh’s winning animation

After the win, Alfie said: “I really enjoyed it, it was a fun and unique experience. I would enjoy doing it again.”

Mr Fenner, Wildern School’s  Senior Lead Practitioner for Careers, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for being named South East regional winners of the Step into the NHS competition. Their creativity and commitment to celebrating the vital work of the NHS truly reflect the values we promote at our school.”

Nearly 4,500 students from hundreds of schools across England, with 463 being submitted in the region.

The South East’s Director of Workforce and Training, Louise Hall said: “The 10 Year Health Plan for England highlights the importance of widening access to NHS careers for students from underprivileged backgrounds. This means we need to make  sure students have the best possible chance to start their NHS journey.

“Step into the NHS supports this by raising students’ career aspirations. They learn vital job seeking skills and that every career is open to them, no matter their background.

“Congratulations Emma, Alfie and Arsh for their winning entry to the Step into the NHS competition. Their creativity and understanding of the NHS are truly inspiring. I really hope we’ll see them working in the NHS in the future.”

Regional winners all received a certificate, £25 Amazon voucher and an exciting goody bag.

You can view the winning entries here: Step into the NHS | help young people discover NHS careers

The Step into the NHS contest is excited to announce that submissions will open again in Autumn 2025. For more details on how to express your interest in taking part visit:

• Primary: https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/primary-schools
• Secondary: https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/secondary-schools

For further information please contact the South East communications team at england.secomms@nhs.net