A NINE-years-old boy had the surprise of his life to find himself the centre of attention when a team from Sky visited his school.

Class Five, nine and 10-year-olds at Winkleigh Primary School, are working on a project called Compass For Life where they are encouraged to identify and work towards their own North Star.

As part of this, pupils wrote to people and employers they might consider for their future. Lewis wrote to Sky saying he would like to be a Sky Engineer. Sky were impressed by his letter and arranged the very secret visit.

Not just one engineer turned up but a crew of five and three Sky vans that were all parked at the back of the school out of sight.

Only the school staff knew the secret and it was an astounded Lewis who met the crew that included one male and one female engineer and a male Broadband technical engineer.

Lewis and his 28 class mates were able to go out to look around the vans and ask questions. In the classroom each Sky person had introduced themselves and explained a bit about their work.

Lewis told them that his grandfather had been an electrical engineer. He was given a Sky uniform, including his own hard hat.

Class teacher Kerry Dunn said the Compass For Life project was based on that developed by Floyd Woodrow, former SAS Major.

She explained that he says it is important to choose a North Star to aim for. "We have been looking at having a Big Dream, dreaming big, their aspirations.

"These included animal conservation work, the police, the Forces with three or four wanting to work with the RAF.

"Most of the companies replied which has been helpful as well as giving the children inspiration, that people beyond Winkleigh care about them and their hopes, are interested in helping them achieve their Big Dream.

"It has had a positive impact with their learning. This is a long-term project that we’ll be continuing," said Kerry.

Headteacher Vicki Fenemore said she had brought the idea back from a conference and it had been brilliant.

She added that the response from Sky had been "phenomenal" and the school would welcome more people to talk about their work.

One pupil commented that he felt really happy and felt he could achieve the work.

Visiting from Sky were Chris Davey, regional manager based in Truro and an Ambassador, engineer Claire Sellar from Plymouth, engineer from Exeter, Chris Snell, Stuart Andrew from Newton Abbot, a Broadband tech engineer and retail representative, and Steve Smith, retail team leader covering most of Devon and based in Okehampton.