A SPACE scientist who won a BBC show to find the best candidate to become an astronaut has been visiting pupils at a Bradford primary school.

Suzie Imber, an associate professor at the University of Leicester, was put through her paces by former astronaut Chris Hadfield and his team on Astronauts: Do you have what it takes? last year.

Suzie, who triumphed over 11 other top candidates to win a recommendation to join the European Space Agency, visited Beckfoot Heaton Primary School yesterday to inspire pupils as they start their new science topic.

Moira McGregor, deputy head teacher at the school, said: “The students went to the National Science and Media Museum to see Tim Peake’s spacecraft to start their latest science projects.

“When Suzie won the programme she put out a tweet saying she would be working with schools. So we got in touch because it’s always worth asking.

“We hope she might inspire our pupils to think about going into space.

“I hope that after this visit we have some children who are budding astronauts like Tim Peake or Helen Sharman. That would be wonderful.”

Suzie said taking part in the programme, which saw participants solve puzzles underwater and learn survival skills, was an incredible experience.

Moira explained that the visit was part of the school’s efforts to inspire pupils to pursue their dream jobs and said Suzie helped bring the topic of space to life.

She said: “One particular child has become completely entranced with the whole idea of space since his visit to the museum. He was very excited to meet Dr Imber and I imagine he prepared a list of questions for her.

“Our year five teachers were excited - never mind the children.

“They all had an absolutely fantastic time.

“It’s something we are really working on here, we want pupils to know what they can achieve.

“It’s about raising everybody’s aspirations - girls and boys. We have high hopes for them.”

As part of a career aspirations event, the school invited seven professionals to speak to youngsters including a firefighter, civil servant, pathologist, swimming instructor and clinical scientist.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe spoke to youngsters at the launch of the event and Carolyn Julie Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, introduced children to the subject of economics.

Moira added that the school has a “real focus” on aspiration for its children.