A HEAD boy is seeing his future as an optometrist more clearly now after being inspired by the Royal Air Force.
Adam Osborne has been interested in optometry since he saw first-hand the impact the profession had on the life of a family member with sight issues.
Now the 17-year-old has been inspired to pursue his dream and help others after joining fellow Year 13 students at Trinity Academy, in Thorne, on a special leadership programme run by the RAF.
Adam and was one of 20 other sixth formers who took part in the last of four sessions designed to boost self-confidence and leadership skills in preparation for future careers.
They spent the afternoon with Sgt Pete Morris, an RAF outreach worker based at Leeds Careers Office and RAF Linton on Ouse, performing a variety of team building tasks to develop levels of trust.
Adam said: “All the sessions have gone extremely well and have increased our ability to work in teams. One of the first things we had to do was speak in front of everyone and that has really helped my self-confidence. The younger children have begun to look up to us and it has helped us develop our mentoring skills.
“I am more determined than ever to go into optometry. I have already got a part-time job at Boots opticians. One of my family members has bad eyes and I can see how it changes lives when they can see again.”
Head girl Jess Harvey, 18, added: “The RAF sessions have been really good, helped us bond as a year group and encouraged us to volunteer and take the lead.”
Director of sixth form at Trinity Academy Gemma Hirst said the sessions had covered trust and team-building exercises and included a simulated humanitarian crisis, which tested the students under pressure as they has to find a solution against the clock.
“The head boy and head girl, prefects and house captains are now leading a host of events and representing the academy in the community,” she said.
“They are encouraging and mentoring younger children, helping stage open events and parents’ evenings, house events and leading assemblies. From being quiet and reserved at the beginning of the programme they have developed into self-confident and capable role models and mentors.”