A talented year five student from the North West has celebrated being named national winner of the prestigious annual contest that promotes NHS careers.

Aarna Wagh, a pupil from Elmridge School Primary School in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, received first prize in the Step into the NHS primary school competition for 2024.

She beat almost 2,000 entries to win the contest that showcases the variety of career options available within the growing health service.

Her project incorporated multimedia and word art to explore the diverse range of roles in the NHS. The message emulates a sense of togetherness and the design also lists some of the NHS’ over 350 careers and facts about the health service.

Aarna Wagh, who is aged nine, said: “I loved the competition because it put things I enjoy to do into a piece of work that shows the importance of the NHS and the wide range of roles there are. It was one of my favourite ideas and I thoroughly enjoyed making it using an app on my iPad which allowed me to draw my entry.” 

To celebrate, Aarna’s work was displayed on an environmentally friendly digivan that offsets CO2 emissions. She also received a framed certificate, a £50 Amazon voucher and a goody bag.

Step into the NHS is an exciting resource and school careers competition that raises awareness of the more than 350 career opportunities in the NHS, while supporting the career aspirations of young people in education.

As the largest employer in Europe, the NHS offers a job that suits everyone, no matter what their interests or skills are.

Chris Cutts, Director of Workforce, Training and Education at NHS England – North West, said: “I am in awe of Aarna’s creativity and successful portrayal of the passionate NHS workforce. It’s great to see every participant of this year’s Step into the NHS show so much interest in learning about the health service.

“My warm congratulations to Aarna, and a huge thank you to everyone, especially students and teachers, who got involved, including Leon Pieterzak from our North West NHS England Widening Participation Team for his enthusiasm in promoting the competition across the North West. I hope this competition and Aarna’s work will encourage people to find out more and get interested in the NHS careers available to them.”

Mrs Lauren Douglas, Aarna’s teacher at Elmridge School Primary School, said: “We are so incredibly proud of Aarna and the artwork she produced. It reflects her understanding of the NHS and it demonstrates her creativity. It shows Aarna’s respect for the NHS and the jobs each and every person does that creates such a wonderful service in our country.”

In the secondary school category, pupils from West Kirby Grammar School, West Kirby, were the regional North West winners. Year eight pupils Phoebe and Clara received a £25 Amazon voucher each, certificates and NHS goodie bags for a board game that they created.