AGS Alumni | Jack McKenna
Name: Jack McKenna
Left Acklam Grange: 2019
Current position: Assistant
Current Employer: Office of Luke Myer MP, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland
What was your experience at Acklam Grange like?
It was great. The support from teachers was instrumental in driving my ambition, and making me realise my potential. Acklam Grange gave me opportunities that I’ve been thankful for ever since.
Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share?
My time on the school rugby team or the trip to Dordogne in France. I’d say more so the rugby team as it taught me valuable life lessons and how to achieve my goals.
What person, class or experience most influenced you?
Ms Rogers, my English teacher from Year 9 to Year 11. She taught me the value of strengthening my opinion and beliefs, but also being tolerant of others and their beliefs. Most of the life lessons I’ve exhibited in my career journey have been what I learnt in those English lessons from Ms Rogers.
How did your education at AGS prepare you for your career?
AGS taught me the value of work, and how working hard rewards itself. Realising my potential at AGS was what prepared me for my career. Teachers at this school always know what’s best for you.
What has your career path been like? How did you get to where you are?
It wasn’t easy. But I’ve been blessed with a great support network – from local politicians, to MPs new and old, to my family – who have gave me the support and advice to get where I am. A career in politics is never easy, but the damp nights delivering leaflets, the conversations on the estates and playing your part in the democratic process is always worth it in the end.
I set realistic expectations for myself in my journey. Sometimes it’s easy being tempted by the big picture stuff, but sometimes there are more obstacles in the way. Pragmatism has been a fundamental of my journey, and it has helped me get where I am because I was realistic.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Delivering for where I was born and raised and making sure that I am playing my part in making sure that the new MP is making the case for my area and the surrounding communities. A key part of my job within the office is helping the MP fight for our more rural communities – whether it’s access to GP and education services, or fighting rural poverty – that sometimes feel ignored.
But the one thing I enjoy is – like AGS did with me – realising Teesside’s potential and helping make the case for our region so we have a region to be proud of for generations to come.
What skills have served you well in your career?
Listening and communication. The general public often feel like politics doesn’t speak for them, but its aim is to deliver for them. I’ve purposely developed my skills so that politics is reaching out to the often overlooked areas of our town and region so that those in our estates have confidence in the political process.
Being able to listen to someone makes so much of a difference. And also being tolerant of other people’s opinions and perspectives. I much prefer speaking to someone I disagree with than someone I agree with because I know that I will learn something new from that conversation.
What advice would you give to current Acklam Grange students about their future?
Try something new. At AGS, I played rugby, learned to play the bass guitar, went to France and attended the debating society. Pluralism is a privilege and being able to live in a society where you have the choice to do something new is also a privilege because in the long run you’ll wish you had done more to use that privilege.
Don’t be scared of change, embrace it. The views and perspectives I have now are different to that I was thinking when I was in school. Sometimes in your journey it doesn’t always go to plan and you have to change your intended path. You may end up at a different place or the same place at a different time, but at least you gave it your all and tried.
Always remember and appreciate the people around you. Developing relationships helps build character.
If you’re a former student of Acklam Grange School and want to share your story, get in touch via the details below.
Miss S Winter
Careers Advisor
01642 277700
winter.s@acklamgrange.org.uk