The path to happiness and a successful career isn't always through academic excellence. Learning practical skills for life can be as important, if not more so, for many pupils.

Many people benefited greatly from the 1960s secondary moderns they attended and went on to succeed in a range of areas. For some, their school and teachers were enough to drive them on, others succeeded in spite of their secondary modern experience.

Our range of inspirational stories are as varied as their career choices. Robert Lindsay discovered drama at his school, while Rod Stewart never missed a day, despite not liking any of his lessons.

Harry Redknapp was sports crazy – something well-catered for in his school. Anita Roddick is perhaps the most grateful for her secondary modern education, finding it one of the most inspirational times of her life.