Dream it, believe it, do it | Embley School, Hampshire

We were thrilled to welcome Mandy Hickson as special guest speaker at our Prep and Senior Speech Day ceremonies.

Mandy is a pioneering former RAF fighter pilot with over 30 years of experience in aviation. She joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and was one of the first women to fly the Tornado GR4. Her book ‘An Officer, Not a Gentleman’ chronicles her journey. As an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport, Trustee for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mandy now inspires the next generation into STEM related endeavours. 

Speech Day was a joyful celebration of pupil achievement across the school, with awards recognising progress, service, curiosity and academic excellence. We enjoyed reflective speeches from our Headmaster, Head of Prep, Chair of Governors and Heads of School, Liv and Josh. The children also delighted us with a range of outstanding musical performances including our Prep and Senior Orchestras, Prep Choir and Embley Voices.

Mandy shared her inspiring journey of resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in aviation to become one of the UK's first female fast-jet pilots. Mandy left us with the powerful message to “Dream it, believe it, do it.”