SIXTH formers at Chipping Campden School were inspired when they were visited by a former Government adviser.

Sir John Beddington, who worked as the Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2008 to 2013, visited the school earlier this month to speak to students as a part of an inspiring General Studies programme.

He is a speaker with the Speakers for Schools charity which sees some of the UK’s most influential leaders from business, culture, the arts, sports, science and technology deliver talks in secondary schools across the UK.

Sir John,who is a professor of Applied Population Biology at Imperial College London, spoke to more than 120 Year 12 students about the diversity of the issues he dealt with as Chief Scientific Officer such as helping formulate the British government response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and the eruptions of Icelandic volcanoes.

Molly Clark, a Year 12 student, said Sir John inspired them to be ambitious both at school and in their future careers.

Joanne King, Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Principal at Chipping Campden School, said: “We always value having such inspiring outside figures come into the school and share their knowledge with our students.

"It was wonderful to see the students so engaged by Sir John’s talk which left them wanting to know more and asking searching questions about global issues.”

Sir John said it was a pleasure to visit the school.

"A definite highlight was the question and answer session with students. I was impressed with the insightful and challenging questions they asked," he said.