Ashley John Baptiste of X Factor fame (The Risk, X Factor 2011) came with us to The Duston School Northampton as part of our Unlock programme last week. Ashley grew up in care and when looking back on his early educational studies admits that he did not put in much effort and was often disengaged. After a visit to Cambridge University during his GCSE years he became instantly hooked on the idea that he should be able to attend such a place so completely changed his attitude to learning in order to achieve his goal. He shocked his teachers and friends by getting excellent A level results which then, in turn, led him to secure his dream place at Cambridge to study History. Ashley worked with the students on our Unlock programme to help to try and inspire them to aim high and to never underestimate themselves. The students quizzed him on his studies, his time in the limelight and his career path thereafter. They were a little star struck to say the least but managed to hold themselves together to thoroughly enjoy the session!