Alumni Members

I started at KES in 2009 and finished in 2016, having attended KES Sixth Form. I was in House Keene Thorsby, and my favourite subjects were English, Biology, and PE. I hated Maths! 

What were your next steps following KES Academy?

I attended the University of Lincoln to complete a BA (Hons) English degree. After which I joined a graduate scheme with BT.  

How do you feel that your time at KES shaped you and the current path you’re on? Were there any particular highlights you can recall from your time at KES? 

Certainly the structure and the different sports teams that I played on gave me discipline, determination, and ambition. The support from my teachers who believed in my academic abilities even when I didn’t believe in myself, pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone, and therefore to be the first person in my family to go to university.  

One of my favourite highlights was being head girl in my final year at the school. Completing all three of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold DofE’s with the school was also a real achievement for me. One of my favourite memories is going to Buckingham palace with my dad to pick up my award.  

Going to school everyday with my siblings was always a lot of fun and the ski trip and Ardeche were really memorable school trips.

What was the most important learning point you took with you from your time at KES? 

You have more potential than you believe. 

Did you always know that you wanted to pursue this career path? In what ways were you supported at KES Academy to pursue this path? 

I never really knew what I wanted to do (I don’t think I still do now!), however the school encouraged me to attend university and explore my academic potential. As a result, I ended up joining a graduate scheme and forging a successful career path via that route. 

What have been some particular personal highlights for you since leaving KES Academy so far?  

Some of my personal highlights since leaving KES would certainly have to include graduating from the University of Lincoln and subsequently finishing my graduate scheme with BT. Personally and professionally, I have travelled the world, and so learning about other cultures is a highlight of mine.

Returning to KES a number of times to address the Sixth Formers and also doing the Alumni speech Graduan address for the University of Lincoln 2023 graduates, is something I am immensely proud of.

Continuing my passion for rowing and competing at Women’s Henley in 2023 was a fantastic experience. ​

What would your advice be to young adults looking to pursue a similar path to yours? 

Be ambitious, trust yourself and the decisions that you make, get work experience even if that is in the local café, make every opportunity count, throw yourself into hobbies and interests in order to help you have structure and fuel your ambition, be a learn it all and never stop wanting to learn something new.  

What are your hopes and aspirations for the future?  

Continue having a fulfilling career supported by a healthy work / life balance in which I can continue developing my passions. Row across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in January 2025, and more public speaking to inspire our future leaders.