Step in the NHS schools’ competition 2011-12
NHS Careers is delighted to announce the winners of the 2011-12 Step into the NHS schools' competition.
For the first time since the competition was launched, there are national joint winners! The winning entries were produced by Jess Robinson, Andy O'Brien, Hollie Hannah and Jess Smith from Ian Ramsey C of E School in Stockton-on-Tees, and Laura Knowles and Georgia Mills from Nottingham Girls' High School.
The students from Ian Ramsey C of E School focused on the role of a midwife and produced a unique job 
advert using a milk bottle to appeal to their target audience, as well as a range of high quality materials including a job description and a CV of the ideal candidate. Students from Nottingham Girls' High School looked at the role of a paediatrician and produced a creative video advert that demonstrated an excellent understanding of what the role entails, along with a detailed job description. The winning students have each won the top national prize of netbook computers.
Alan Simmons, careers consultant for NHS Careers was one of the judges, and said: "This is the fourth year we have run the competition and the standard of entries was again very high, showing that students taking part researched a broad range of careers. Both winning entries demonstrated a clear understanding of the particular careers chosen and the job advertisements produced were very innovative and appealing in different ways."
In addition to the national winners, students at the following schools were selected as regional winners and will each receive Amazon vouchers to recognise their outstanding entries.
| Region | School | Job role |
|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | Nottingham Girls' High School | Paediatrician |
| East of England | The Grays School Media Arts College | Music therapist |
| London | South Hampstead High School | Surgeon |
| North East | Ian Ramsey C of E School | Paediatrician |
| North West | Fairfield High School | Clinical cytogeneticist |
| South Central | Leon School and Sports College | Midwife |
| South East Coast | Bexley Grammar School | Psychiatrist |
| South West | Five Islands School | Children's nurse |
| West Midlands | Hillcrest Secondary School for Girls | Drama therapist |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | Hymers College | Drama therapist |
There were over 550 entries to the competition from 64 schools, involving over 1,250 students across England. Entries were judged by a panel which included Dean Royles, NHS Employers, Laura Kisby, Lawrence Sheriff School, Daniel Mortimer, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Annette Clark, Skills for Health, Liz Roe, NHS Confederation and Alan Simmons, NHS Careers.
Aimed at year 8 and 9 students, the competition is an annual event which encourages students to think about career opportunities, develop job seeking skills and make informed decisions about important GCSE or diploma choices. Students are challenged to select one of the careers available in the NHS and, working individually or in groups of up to four, to create a job description and either a job advertisement or a CV of the ideal candidate.
Watch our video below to find out more about the competition and see how some of last year's entrants ran the competition in their schools.
