STUDENTS from a Salisbury school have won a top prize for designing a game to celebrate the NHS's 75th birthday. 

South Wilts Grammar School accepted the south west region prize for ‘The Step into the NHS’ competition.

Secondary school pupils were tasked with researching and creating a game based on an NHS role while learning about the many careers in the health service.  

‘The Step into the NHS’ competition precedes the 75th birthday of the National Health Service (NHS) in 2023.

Hampshire Chronicle:

South Wilts Grammar School students Alice Ward, Beatrice Wild, Erin Gilson and Poppy Chismon, won the top spot.

The four girls aged 13 created a multi-player board game based around the role of an emergency call dispatcher.

The aim of the game is to complete as many mission cards as possible before they run out.

Players can fall on an ‘action space’ which can either help or hinder them. Throughout the game, participants learn about the role of an emergency call dispatcher and the type of tasks they might face.

They said: “We had an amazing time working as a team, being creative and having fun. It was the perfect opportunity for us to work together and display our individual strengths whilst working as a group. 

“We recommend other students to sign up and give The Step into the NHS competition a go. A big thank you to the NHS for producing this contest.” 

Health Education England (HEE) runs the Step into the NHS competition each year to raise awareness of the more than 350 career opportunities in the NHS, while supporting the career aspirations of young people in education. 

HEE chief executive, Dr Navina Evans, said: “I am amazed with Alice, Beatrice, Erin, and Poppy’s game based around an Emergency Call Dispatcher. The concept of the game is incredibly clever and factual, but also creative and fun for all ages. The girl’s hard work will be an inspiration to next years’ contestants.”

This year’s competition saw 898 entries from more than 1,540 pupils in 120 secondary schools across England. Students also had the chance to create a job advert for an NHS role in their own creative way. 

Headteacher Michele Chilcott said: “The NHS competition raises students' aspirations and opens their eyes a to a wide range of health and social care career opportunities. 

“We are incredibly proud of Alice, Beatrice, Erin, and Poppy’s teamwork, presentation, and design skills, which impressed teachers as well as the judges.” 

Emergency operations centre recruitment and retention lead at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), Tom Wilkinson, said: “The role of an emergency medical dispatcher is a critical part of the ambulance service. They are the first point of contact when a 999 call comes through the medical emergency. They can give lifesaving help and advice ahead of an ambulance resource arriving on scene.” 

The judges for the secondary school competition were television presenter Martin Dougan, 2020’s UK Career Leader of the Year Stacey Drake and medical student and vlogger Takanayi Mureyi who were impressed the concept and team work that went into the game.

Developed in partnership with teachers, the Step into the NHS competition is now reopen for the 2023 competition. Its curriculum-linked resources for key stages two and three includes a careers quiz, an A-Z of NHS careers and stories from NHS staff.

For more go to stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/.