West Coventry Academy TV appearance: It was ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ for Coventry sixth form students this week, when they went live on The Martin Lewis Money Show.
Forty-five lucky Year 12 and 13 students featured in an hour-long special launch for the new series of the popular ITV show, which focussed on providing valuable financial advice for young people.
The students starred in the ‘outside broadcast’ element of the programme, with cameras cutting to West Coventry Academy four times throughout the broadcast for students to ask questions to money expert Martin.
Joanne Kerr, Careers Advisor at West Coventry, explained how this remarkable opportunity came about.
She said: “As part of our ‘Hands On Careers’ programme last year, we had students on set for the filming of both Man Like Mobeen and Silent Witness. One of the producers was so impressed that they asked if we would like to be considered for this experience!
“We had various Teams Calls with the production team, and our A Level students were asked to submit questions to be asked to Martin Lewis. We were chosen out of all of the schools who were shortlisted based on the excellence of the student questions.”
West Coventry Academy TV appearance was live
The West Coventry students asked Martin thought-provoking questions including how to use ISAs to get on the housing ladder, handling student finance and university debt, pensions and the difference between a current account and a savings account – all very important and relevant questions.
Martin advised the children: “The financial choices you make early can shape you for a lifetime”.
Mrs Kerr said: “The students were really excited going into the broadcast.
“I think it became more real to them when the production company came into school for test shots…. and also when they were told there would be pizza!”
The opportunity formed part of West Coventry’s ongoing Sixth Form Careers offering, which aims to provide students with a range of unique experiences to enhance applications and inspire their career paths.
Mrs Kerr said: “Going on The Martin Lewis Money Show was a totally unique experience which gave the students an insight into careers in the media and television.
“Not only did they have the experiences of communicating with a production crew and being on live television, they also got the answers to some of their money queries from the best in the business!”
Other inspiring projects which have been offered to students as part of the Sixth Form Careers offering include talking in Parliament, working alongside the CEOs of major rail networks on a nationwide programme run, and an upcoming collaboration with the Premier League.
Mrs Kerr said: “It’s important to get our students thinking about the path they wish to take when they leave West Coventry Academy.”
Headteacher Ana Neofitou said: “It was so exciting to ‘go live’ on TV from West Coventry Academy, and we’re very proud of the students who took part on Tuesday evening.
“I’d like to thank the staff who helped make this happen as well as the students and their families for staying in school late for their TV appearance.
“We are working hard to give our students valuable and practical insights into different careers, and this opportunity provided a peak behind the scenes of live TV – as well as financial advice from a world-renowned expert!”