Raising Aspirations

Alison Mowbray, an Olympic Silver Medallist with a PhD in Molecular Microbiology joined Selby High School to speak to our More Able GCSE students and their parents in order to raise the aspirations of our higher achieving students. An Olympic Silver medallist, Alison Mowbray was on the British Rowing team for seven years and competed in five World Championships and two Olympic Games, alongside now working as a Leadership Development Consultant, Coach, Nutritionist, Author and Inspirational Speaker.

Alison’s enthusiasm and engagement with the audience was excellent, and her delivery was captivating for both students and adults. Alison’s story is not one of a traditional Olympic athlete, with her excellence for rowing only becoming apparent when she joined university.  Her key messages that success is a product of hard work, and that education provides lifelong opportunities were ones that resonated with our students, alongside the idea that no matter what setbacks occur success can still be achieved with motivation and determination.

Fantastic afternoon and evening presentations, which provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the Olympic story first hand.