High Sheriff reflects on his year in post

The outgoing High Sheriff of Derbyshire has been reflecting on his year in post in which he put social mobility at the heart of his activities.

Mike Copestake, an experienced corporate lawyer, who for many years was senior partner at Freeths’ Derby office, took up the role in April last year.

Since then, Mike, one of the founders and former chairs of Marketing Derby, has been visiting schools and organisations involved with young people in the county to talk about careers and to encourage children to work hard to be the very best they can be.

Mike has now written a report containing his observations on careers and aspiration tuition in primary schools.

He said: “Overall, careers tuition in primary schools has been pretty patchy.

“Some schools do it well; some do something and others do nothing at all.

“Having said that the Our Futures programme introduced as part of the Opportunity Areas programme and the recently announced Start Small Dream Big pilot announced by the Careers & Enterprise Company are introducing a formal careers structure for careers education in primary schools. That is to be greatly welcomed.”

According to Mike, the highlight of his year as High Sheriff, has been presenting to primary schools.

He said: “I had a truly great presentation prepared for me by Kerry Ganly of Penguin PR.

“Clever tricks, like having a photo of a mega You Tube star called Mr Beast (who all children from Years 4 to 8 seem to know) in the top left hand corner of a slide enabled me to hold my audience’s attention, while I went through the jobs of the future.

“If I have one regret it is that I did not also present to Year 7 at secondary school.

“I have just come back from presenting to Year 7 at Aldercar High School and got much the same reception as I did from primary school children – i.e. loads of questions. Asking questions, thereafter tends to be ‘uncool’.”

Mike also hailed the success of the Debating Competition, designed to help youngsters improve their soft skills and build confidence.

He said: “I helped judge a mock trial competition between four secondary schools involving 12-14 year olds at Derby Magistrates Court, which was organised by two magistrates from Chesterfield.

“This was a brilliant way to get 20 or so youngsters involved per team.

“Ecclesbourne School have won this national competition more often than any other school in the country. However, schools from less affluent parts of the county are now starting to take part.”