This Thursday Dean Close Preparatory School pupil, Una, aged nine, is to star alongside a group of seven to nine-year-olds from around the UK in a new Channel 4 programme called ‘When I grow up!’

The programme begins at 8pm on Thursday 2nd May and focuses on the career aspirations of each of the children.

The film crew follow their experiences as they try their hand at different careers, including journalism at HELLO! magazine, running a chocolate factory and being an estate agent.

Towards the end of last year the school was contacted by a casting company from London who were commissioned by Channel 4 to find suitable children to take part in the programme.

All interested children from Years 3 and 4 were invited to audition at school.

They were initially asked to chat to camera and to take part in various scenarios. From there, certain children were invited back to audition in London and Una was successful in being chosen.

Una said: “I was so excited to be picked, I can’t wait to see myself on television this week.

“It has been really tricky keeping all the exciting things we did a secret. I had so much fun doing this and met some really nice people!”

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “We are delighted to transmit this innovative series. It tackles a big issue – social mobility – with wit, warmth and purpose, and the final result is both heart-warming and revealing in equal measure.”