Helen Sharman joins Virtual Space Day 2021
Pupils at Cranford House are all set to explore outer space’s final frontier as part of an action-packed Virtual Space Day. With a whole host of exciting activities and intergalactic online lessons planned around the theme, the school’s focus on space reflects our region’s position as a hub for the Science industry and aims to inspire the next generation of astro-physicists, spacecraft engineers and astronauts alike.
The real highlight of the day will come when none other than Helen Sharman CMG OBE, the first British person in space, will be our very special online guest, meeting with pupils to discuss life in space from the experiences of the astronaut herself. We are pleased to also be welcoming to this live event pupils from Crowmarsh Gifford Primary and Shiplake Primary schools.
The school hope the event will inspire the next generation of British astronauts. Indeed, Helen herself admits she hankers after a return trip to space: "I’d still love to go back up. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Cranford House Headmaster, Dr James Raymond, commented, "We are absolutely thrilled that Helen will be joining us for our Virtual Space Day, particularly as her story is really inspirational for all the children who will be joining us. She had no background in the space industry, but she went on to be picked out of 13,000 candidates. Her willingness to embrace such an exciting but daunting challenge reflects exactly the sort of attitude we try to instill in pupils here at school: the belief that 'having a go' at the challenges and opportunities life presents is key to the exciting futures ahead of them."