A Dream Came True for Old Swinford Hospital Student

Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 29th of September 2011

Year 12 student Jack Apperley turned disaster into a dream come true, when he fulfilled his dream to become a conductor.

Jack fractured both his ankles and three vertebrae in a fall from his attic bedroom in October 2010.

Whilst he was being treated in Russells Hall Hospital, Jack completed a request form from the Wishing Well charity asking to conduct a performance of Handel's Zadok the Priest at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mum, Wendy, Assistant Director of Sixth Form at OSH, then got a telephone call from Steve Ford, the charity's organiser, who said that Jack wouldn't be conducting at the Royal Albert Hall, but had 'fixed it' for the Birmingham Conservatoire a 125-year-old music college which forms part of Birmingham City University.

Jack who sings and plays piano and viola, is currently studying A Levels at Old Swinford Hospital and also attends the Conservatoire at the weekends.

His story has caught the attention of the local press and he has also been featured on BBC Midlands Today.