Submariners from one of the most advanced attack submarines in the Royal Navy’s fleet have spoken to pupils about their career choices at the only school in the UK to be affiliated to the vessel.
The Bemrose School was chosen by the Royal Navy to be officially linked to HMS Ambush, the second of the Astute-class hunter-killer submarines to be built in the UK back in 2013.
The crew of the nuclear-powered submarine, with a reactor built by Rolls-Royce Submarines on Raynesway, visited the Uttoxeter Road school to talk about the different careers available within the Royal Navy.
HMS Ambush
They spoke to youngsters in the schools’ primary phase, secondary school pupils and also those in the Sixth Form who are considering their futures.
Michael Dennison, who visited the site in Barrow where HMS Ambush was created back in 2013, said: “Derby may be land-locked, but the city has strong ties with HMS Ambush; we’re proud that the reactor was built right here in the city by the engineers at Rolls-Royce.
“We are extremely honoured to have been chosen as the only school in the UK to be affiliated with HMS Ambush and we thoroughly enjoyed hearing from the crew.
“The Bemrose School is in an area of the city where social deprivation is high, but inviting inspiration visitors into school like the Royal Navy have helped to inspire our pupils; the latest NEET figures for Bemrose – pupils who are not in education or employment when they leave school – is at its lowest ever, and that is partly due to the fact that we have such a varied and committed careers programme.”
HMS Ambush represents the cutting edge of the UK’s military power. Armed with Tomahawk land attack missiles and Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes, HMS Ambush is one of the most sophisticated underwater vehicles ever built.
Questions from pupils included have you ever been involved in war and how long does it take to build a submarine like HMS Ambush.
Year 7 and 8 Bemrose students with some of the crew from HMS Ambush.
Dan Hucknall is a caterer onboard HMS Ambush. He also helps the medics and is learning to drive the boat. He said: “Joining the Royal Navy is one of the best decisions I have ever made. There is so much that you can learn; I’m currently learning French and have been granted funding recently for a nutrition course that will help me within my job.
“You learn skills that help for the future, whether you choose to stay in the military or leave.”
Claire Amos, careers lead at The Bemrose School, added: “HMS Ambush is an extraordinary piece of engineering and hopefully it will help inspire engineers of the future here.
“We pride ourselves on giving our young people the best experiences when it comes to careers and as well as welcoming personnel from HMS Ambush, we have also had visits from the Army at school. Our students are learning about different skills sets and jobs that are available to them post-16.
“And, in a few weeks’ time, we will welcome representatives from the BBC to talk about careers in the media.”
