Inspiring Futures - Talk from Sharon Ament
Our Year 9 and 10 GCSE History pupils were treated to a truly inspiring experience last Friday, as we welcomed Sharon Ament, Director of the London Museum, as part of the Speakers for Schools programme.
From the moment she began speaking, Sharon captivated pupils with the story of her journey—from growing up and attending school here in Bootle, to building an exciting and varied career in London. Her message was clear: your starting point does not limit your destination.
Sharon spoke honestly about the different roles she has taken on throughout her career, showing pupils that success is rarely a straight path. Along the way, she has embraced incredible opportunities, including travelling to remarkable places such as Antarctica and Sumatra, curating major exhibitions, and even meeting well-known public figures such as King Charles III and David Beckham. These experiences brought her stories to life and highlighted the wide range of possibilities that can come from studying subjects like History.
One of the most fascinating parts of the talk was hearing about the challenges she has faced. Sharon shared the responsibility of leading the multi-million-pound opening of the new London Museum—a huge undertaking that required resilience, teamwork and confidence. Her honesty about overcoming obstacles made her achievements all the more impressive and relatable for our pupils.
Importantly, Sharon emphasised how studying GCSE History helps to develop vital skills such as critical thinking, communication and problem-solving—skills that open doors to a wide range of careers, far beyond the classroom. Sharon reminded us all that museum work isn't all archaeology - it's art, public speaking, events management and a lot of science too!
The session concluded with a lively and thoughtful Q&A, where pupils asked insightful questions about Sharon’s career, her inspirations and the lessons she has learned along the way. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and confidence shine through.
