British musician Danny Jones visited Richmond Park Academy this week as part of a campaign to equip young people with the skills they will need in the future.

The singer, who is one of the lead vocalists for pop-rock band McFly, gave an “engaging” talk to pupils, sharing some of best life lessons and giving advice about how to prepare for the world of work in 2030.

Danny, 32, told of how he chose the guitar over football despite having trials at Birmingham City and about how everything we do is about getting a reaction, “whether that is in woodwork or music.”

He emphasised the importance of putting in the time to “become a master,” saying “if you spend the time to become a master in what you do, there will always be an audience or client for it - but you have to be a master”.

Danny said he didn’t get top grades at school but he would have concentrated more on maths and science had he known he would be building a studio in his back garden.

He added that had he known he would be writing song lyrics everyday he would have tried harder in English class.

The talk was part of Speakers for Schools national campaign, ‘what skills will young people need for work in 2030? (#Skills2030)’, where more than 30 leading figures from business, tech and culture in the UK speak at state schools.

Your Local Guardian: Pupils queuing up to see Danny 

The visit was received “extremely well” by RPA’s Year 7 and 8 students.

DJ Harding said, from Year 8, said: “I was happy and shocked that he came.

“It was a really good experience- amazing, and he gave us great advice.

“My favourite was not to let other people distract you from your goal.”

Tyrone Myton, vice principal at Richmond Park Academy, said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome inspiring speakers into Richmond Park Academy.

“Danny really connected with the RPA students and left them with real food for thought for their future journeys.

“It is a huge thank you to him for sharing his time with us and for Speakers for Schools who made it happen.”

Ashley Hodges, executive director at Speakers for Schools said: “Helping students hear directly from the leaders of today and sharing their unique insights and advice, is an essential way we can help level the playing field and spark a discussion on how they can best prepare for their futures.

“We hope that through these talks, young people will feel more confident about what skills they can be focusing on and empower them for the world in 2030.’’