We were delighted to welcome Year 5 parent Daniel Hillary to speak to our Years 5 and 6 pupils as part of our Parent Careers Talk programme.
With over 15 years’ experience in the UK film and television industry, Daniel works as a Crowd Second Assistant Director, helping to plan and coordinate everything from small scenes to major productions involving hundreds of performers. His credits include Aladdin, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Heartstopper, Call the Midwife and The Outlaws.
The children were fascinated to hear about the famous actors Daniel has worked alongside, and gained a real insight into what happens behind the scenes of some of the world’s biggest productions.
Particularly inspiring was hearing about Daniel’s own journey. As a child, his love of making and watching homemade videos sparked a passion for filmmaking and set him on the path to the career he enjoys today.
When one pupil asked what had helped him achieve his dream, Daniel’s answer was simple but powerful: never give up. Perseverance and determination, he explained, are vital in every part of life, especially when working towards ambitious goals.
His message linked perfectly to one of our Copthorne Compass Values, Resilience. Daniel’s story was a wonderful reminder that success is often built on persistence, hard work and the courage to keep going when challenges arise.
We are extremely grateful to Daniel for giving up his time to inspire the next generation.
