Class of 2022: Rhianne Leach

Class of 2022 pupil Rhianne Leach has won a place on the prestigious BAE Systems’ Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Programme.

Rhianne wanted to thank Priory Teacher of Design Technology and Engineering Mrs Shaw for starting her on the path to her dream of becoming a Chief Engineer by helping her with the NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Engineering at school.

“I wanted to take the engineering course at Priory but there wasn’t enough slots and I had to prioritise the core subjects like maths and English,” said Rhianne.

“Mrs Shaw made sure I could take the engineering qualification in my own time, two nights a week after school and in my lunch and break and I sat my exam the same time as everyone else.

“I got a Level Two Distinction *.

“The support I was given by Mrs Shaw provided me with the foundation that I am now building upon and helped to spark my ambition with the subject.

“I always wanted to do something STEM-related but I was taught pure maths and physics. It was only when I went to look around universities that I saw applied engineering and I saw how worthwhile and useful it was. I saw how it works in the real world and decided I wanted to do it.

“I will be completing industry placements alongside university study in order to obtain my Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. It’s the next step towards my dream of becoming the Chief Engineer.

“But ultimately, the first step was the work that Mrs Shaw helped me to complete throughout my earlier studies.”

Rhianne went to the Lancashire University School of Maths (LUSOM) and applied for the BAE Systems position but knew it was extremely competitive.

“There was a lot with the process. There was an initial application, then an AI screening interview before being sent through 300 personality questions.

“Then I had an in-person two-hour interview.

“Overall I think BAE Systems nationally get 20,000 applications for all their apprenticeship positions and they have around 600 so it is tough.

“I got a phone call to say I was through and I felt that was a nice touch.

“I start in September in Samlesbury and I will probably be based at Wharton.

“What really excites me is the chance to travel around the world. I have been looking into it and people have travelled to China and all over. It seems there are amazing opportunities and this degree will hopefully open them up to me.”