TV weather girl turned wildlife explorer, Sally Pepper, took time out from her outdoor adventures to join pupils and parents at Ockbrook School’s annual speech day on Wednesday 14th September.

From a young age Sally dreamed of being the next Julie Garland, but after three years of drama school she decided it was not for her. Instead she picked up her weather maps and beamed on to our screens. Before Sally’s shining career at the BBC, she successfully co-hosted Radio Watford’s breakfast show.

Alison Steele, Head Teacher, Ockbrook School, says: “We were delighted that Sally was able to share with us her wide range of experiences within the media. Sally’s successful career has been a real inspiration for many of our students.

“As guest of honour, Sally, presented our students with A Level and GCSE exam certificates and a host of school prizes and achievement certificates. With our outstanding GCSE and A-level results this year it was a wonderful opportunity for parents, students, staff and guests to join together and celebrate the exceptional successes of our students.”

Sally explains: “It was a real honour to be asked to speak at Ockbrook’s speech day. I was thrilled to be able to award the girls their certificates and to congratulate them on their great success. These are important milestones in a student’s life and I hope that by telling them about my own experiences it will encourage them to pursue their own dreams.”

Earlier this year Sally went in search of her wild side, as she became the wildlife correspondent for East Midlands Today. She has been roaming our local countryside to find astonishing wildlife from around the region.

Ockbrook School is located between Nottingham and Derby, just off the A52. Ockbrook School is an independent school for girls aged 2-18 years and boys aged 2-11 years. For further details visit our website www.ockbrook.derby.sch.uk

ield as well as Gold Family Friends membership to Chatsworth.

Entrants came from all over the UK and showed Chatsworth through the eyes of the visitor over the years and throughout the seasons.  Each followed the simple brief: to capture outdoor pictures of the Chatsworth estate.  

Chatsworth’s Stephanie Cliffe said: “We were overwhelmed with the volume and outstanding quality of the entries and we very much enjoyed looking through all the photos. There were some magnificent images that showed Chatsworth in all its glory. Congratulations to everyone who took part.”

The 10 shortlisted images will be displayed in The Stables at Chatsworth from 19 February. Derbyshire Life is also featuring the pictures from the 10 finalists in the March edition of the magazine on sale 14 February.