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The Art of Diplomacy

On 18th March, Salford City Academy welcomed Leigh Turner, British Ambassador to the Ukraine.  Due to our link with a Ukrainian school, Mr Turner visited the Academy to talk to Sixth Form students and highlight the diversity of a role in the Diplomatic Service.

Salford City Academy has International School Status and as part of this we are involved in the Dreams and Teams programme, a joint British Council and Youth Sports Trust initiative.  The aim of Dreams and Teams is to develop sports leadership across schools by partnership British schools with an International school. 

Salford City Academy has been partnered with School 197 in Kyiv, Ukraine since 2007. This has involved several pupil exchanges and visits between our schools.

As part of a British Council initiative, Mr Turner visited Salford City Academy.  All those with significant positions within the UK Government and Public Services are being encouraged to visit local schools and colleges to talk to students about their jobs. 

Leigh Turner said "The Foreign Office is keen to make sure it reflects the whole of British society.  That means we are keen to recruit people from different ethnic backgrounds, from all parts of the country, more women, and more people with disabilities.  It's a terrific job and I'd recommend it to anyone."

Mr Turner spent a morning with Salford City Academy learning more about our Dreams and Teams link with School 197 in Kyiv.  Mr Turner then spent time with Year 12 and 13 students discussing his role within the British Council and details of some of his international experiences.

Students were presented with Mr Turner's career path into his current role as British Ambassador to the Ukraine, the diversity of his responsibilities including examples of negotiations with officials regarding matters affecting international relations, and photos and stories of the far-reaching destinations visited throughout his career.

Matt Bold, Director of Sixth Form, said "This was a fantastic opportunity for our students; many are currently looking at life beyond Sixth Form and this presented careers in the Foreign Office which many may not have previously considered."

Victoria Stigant, Year 13, said "Leigh Turner's visit gave us a real insight into what a diplomat actually does.  It was a fantastic opportunity to ask questions, learn about how Leigh came to be an Ambassador and to hear about some of his experiences."