Yesterday, as part of our Thursday Takeover programme, we were fortunate to welcome James Wilson to AKS Lytham, where students had the opportunity to hear first-hand about his journey and experiences both on and off the pitch.
James spoke openly about the balance between academic life, elite sport and mental health, sharing how each has played an important role in shaping who he is today. His honest reflections gave students valuable insight into the realities of high-level sport, the pressures that can come with it and the importance of resilience, self-awareness and support.
James began his education at a military school, where his love for rugby was first discovered. He went on to become First XV captain and was selected for the Scottish North and Midlands District team, a significant achievement and one that marked a historic moment for his school. Since 1908, he was the only pupil from the school to represent a Scottish district team.
He also spoke warmly about the influence of Brian Rain, the Scottish Schools selector who supported rugby at the school and provided James with opportunities that proved pivotal in his development. James credited this encouragement and belief as a key source of inspiration during his early rugby career.
The session was confidently led by Sophie S, one of our Sixth Form students, who interviewed James as part of her PEAKS Plus digital project. Sophie is currently designing a magazine and recording a podcast as part of this work, combining strong oracy skills with digital literacy to create high-quality, student-led content. Her assured and thoughtful questioning helped bring James’s story to life and demonstrated the value of applied learning experiences within our Sixth Form programme.
Visits like this are an important part of the wider opportunities available to students at AKS Lytham. By bringing real-world voices into school, we aim to broaden perspectives, inspire ambition and help students understand the many different paths open to them, both within education and beyond.