Andy was a true breath of fresh air. All who watched Andy’s talk, teachers and pupils, really enjoyed it. If Andy offers a talk to your school, take the offer and get as many into your School hall as you can. Inspiring.
- Owain Price - Cardigan Secondary School
Talking to schools
Andy Kirkpatrick was born to talk to young people, and what he has to say will inspire, entertain and give focus to young minds.
One of Andy's biggest strengths is his ability to talk openly about his life and experiences, many of which are very relevant to young people. Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at the age of 19, Andy left school with virtually no qualifications, has never been to university, and some would say he's never had a proper job!
Yet through his passion for climbing he has learnt many skills, and is not only a well established speaker, who has given talks all over the world, but also a writer, photographer
and award winning film maker. Andy's short story High Marks has been used by many teachers in both the UK and North America both as a teaching aid in short story writing, and as a way of showing that dyslexia isn't necessarily a barrier to success (or the severe handicap that it is often assumed to be etc.)
Andy has been working in schools for the last five years. He talks to students about how he felt growing up and touches on many of the subjects that affect young people's lives today, such as respect and confidence. Perhaps most importantly of all he helps the students to grasp the possibilities that their own futures hold.
One of Andy's core beliefs is that for everything that a person struggles with, there will be an equal area. He believes that hard work and focus will lead to success - which can be measured in terms of the fulfilment it brings.
Andy also talks about breaking through mental barriers, learning how to achieve success when the odds are stacked against you, and about living life on your own terms.
Andy tailors each show to his audience, but you can see a selection of his school shows here. Andy is also happy to work with small groups in class on subjects such as creative writing, photography and film making.
∗Each year Andy gives a number of free talks to state schools and he is especially keen to support pupils who wish to raise funds for their own expeditions, no matter how big or small. If you have any questions then please get in touch.
Talking to young people
“As a speaker there is no audience more terrifying than a school hall full of cross-armed 14-year-olds. It is there on stage that you live or die by your skills as
a entertainer and communicator, and it is your job to make them laugh, scream and think.
Unlike talking to a group of chemists or engineers, there is nothing more important than what you have to say in that fifty minutes, the power of your words having the potential to plant the seed of something wonderful in a young mind.
My message is that they have unlimited - and often untapped - potential, that focus can give them the life they want, and that the future is full of possibility…and how to kill a Polar bear!”
- Andy Kirkpatrick
Learning Outcomes
The ability to set and achieve goals
aiming high
self-motivation
To book Andy please contact
You can also contact him directly
All content by Andy Kirkpatrick, published with some rights reserved.