Olympus Trust Alumni (ID 1284)

• Scott Warburton
  Bradley Stoke Community School Student
  Scott Warburton

  My name is Scott and I was a student at Bradley Stoke Community School from 2012 to 2019. I joined Bradley Stoke Community School in Year 7 and completed my GCSEs in 2017. My journey with Bradley Stoke Community School continued for my Post-16 studies where I studied Biology, Psychology and Drama and Theatre at A Level which I completed in 2019. During my time at Post-16, I was elected Head Boy which led to a range of exciting opportunities ranging from leading Post-16 Open Evenings to improving Post-16 facilities and opportunities for the student voice to be heard.

  After my A Levels, I studied Paramedic Science at the University of Lincoln where I graduated in 2023 with The Degree of Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours and received the School of Health and Social Care Prize for Paramedicine. I am now back in Bristol working as a Paramedic with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

• Alex Furber
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Alex Furber

  I left Winterbourne after Completing my A-Levels in 2018 and joined Santander to start a Level 6 IT Degree Apprenticeship. I am completing a BSc. in Digital & Technology Solutions with a focus on Cyber Security through Nottingham Trent University. I've completed a number of technical roles within the business and currently support the design and implementation of new IT governance - ensuring that new systems, apps and technologies are implemented safely and quickly.

  

• Rasheed Bello
  Bradley Stoke Community School Student
  Rasheed Bello

  I attended BSCS from 2009-2014.

  I have always been passionate about the arts, and this was enhanced by studying creative subjects for my GCSE choices. (Drama, Music & Catering). These inspired me to do things like compete on Sports Relief does Glee Club for the BBC as part of an A-Capella group called Buskers. It also encouraged me to attend a Broadway study experience trip where I got to experience New York, watch Chicago the Musical and take part in a stage combat workshop.

  I studied Drama, English Literature, Philosophy and Economics for my A-levels at St Brendan’s, and then studied law at the University of Reading.

  Since completing my degree I’ve had a stint working in local government as the communications and engagement intern for the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees. On completing this role, I became an assistant to 8 councillors at Bristol City Council.

  I am a youth ambassador at Babbasa which is a social enterprise in Bristol which helps young people between the ages of 16-25 to achieve their career aspirations. I gained a coveted place on Channel 4’s Production Training Scheme in 2021 and spent a year working at Bad Wolf in both TV production and development roles. I gained my first TV credit as a Script Trainee on Industry Series 2 for BBC/HBO. I then worked at Hollyoaks as a scr1pt researcher before returning to Bad Wolf as Assistant Script Editor for Series 14 of Doctor Who starring Ncuti Gatwa and Showrun by Russell T Davies. It airs in May 2024, on BBC1 in the UK and on Disney + everywhere else in the world. Look out for me in the credits!

• Holly Toogood
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Holly Toogood

  I was a student at The Ridings from 2005-2012 (I attended both secondary school and sixth form there).

  Once I finished sixth form I went on to complete a 3 year BSc in Psychology at UWE in which I received a 2:1.

  I then went on to a career in SEN teaching in various primary and secondary schools in Bristol which I did for 4 years.

  Then in 2019 I started a new career path in The Ministry of Defence where I have worked my way up through the ranks and am loving it.

  

• Jemma Smith
  Bradley Stoke Community School Student
  Jemma Smith

  I attended Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) and the sixth form from 2011-2018. During my time at BSCS, I learnt valuable skills that I’ve been able to use in my university studies and current job. After finishing my A levels at BSCS, I attended Bournemouth University to study Events Management, which I graduated in 2022 with a first class degree. Once university was finished, I started a job in Bristol for Bray Leino Events, an events company, who I still work for now. My job involves working on a variety of events all across the UK and worldwide. I’ve had the privilege to experience new cultures and travel to places like Thailand, Dubai and Germany. Working in events is like no other job I’ve had, you get to work with incredible people and learn so many life skills that can be applied to anything. Within work, I am apart of the social values committee who aim to raise money and awareness for charities close to our company. I recently helped with a charity art auction with Help Bristols Homeless to raise money to provide shelter and necessities to those in need.

• Ben Parker
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Ben Parker

  Following my time at Winterbourne Academy, I was fortunate to continue studying at Stroud and South Gloucestershire College followed by a very, very enjoyable 3 years at the University of Gloucestershire. It was clear from a young age that my career was destined to be in sport. Whilst my initial aspiration was to become a professional cricketer having played county age group cricket for 7 years, I was always encouraged to keep my options open. As a result, coaching became a passion of mine and was given an opportunity as a coach at Damian Forder Cricket Academy (DFCA) in a part time role. Then after 3 years studying Sports Coaching at University my coaching knowledge and passion grew and have now gone full time working at DFCA and I’m loving every minute. Working at DFCA has allowed me to a coach a variety of people in a variety of places- coaching young children to more experienced adults and coaching in schools and clubs to running our own courses.

  

• Cathy Knight
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Cathy Knight

  I went on to study BA Hons Marketing at UWE. I started in the recruitment industry after finishing my degree. I worked for the Adecco Group for over 15 years. After working in a variety of roles and climbing the ladder to Director Level, I decided I wanted to set up my own recruitment business which I have been running for almost 5 years now. I have recently been involved with the government’s kick start scheme and have mentored over 30 young people whilst they completed paid work experience.

  My greatest achievement would be surviving a pandemic and now getting to a point where I recruited a team and we are making a profit. Also personally would most definitely be my 3 daughters.

  My advice would be to listen to careers advice, Interview advice, CV Tips, how to market themselves to potential employers, becoming a successful entrepreneur.

  Just go for it and surround yourself with those who believe in you. When you have difficult days, those are the people who will lift you up again.

  I LOVED school, I am still very good friends with so many of my year group. I enjoyed learning and did well but it also taught me so much about friendships, going after your dreams and respecting those around you.

  

  Feel the fear and do it anyway!

• Rebecca Nash
  Bradley Stoke Community School Student
  Rebecca Nash

  I attended BSCS from 2011-2018 for both GCSE and A Levels. For my A Levels, I studied Maths, Chemistry and Biology. From my enjoyment of these subjects, I decided to apply for a BSc degree in Chemistry. BSCS encouraged and supported me through the process of deciding what to do and applying to universities. Ultimately, this then led me to my current job, where I worked as a placement student before taking on a permanent role.

  Overall, my time at BSCS set me up for my career in science, both with the scientific knowledge and with general life skills, such as writing and presentations. I would say that all subjects I studied at BSCS (GCSE and A Level) have been useful in my everyday life.

  I work as a Research Analyst in an analytical chemistry lab. Day to day I use Mass Spectrometry (a technique I first learnt about in A Levels!) applied to various research challenges. For example, much of the work carried out in my job involves analysis of novel food products, medicines, and health screening. My job is divided between days spent in the lab and also working in an office writing reports.

• Chris Shine
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Chris Shine

  I attended Winterbourne Academy, or the Ridings as it was when I started, from being a fresh-faced Year 7 all the way through to Head Boy in Year 13. I then went on to study for an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Nottingham before doing a Masters degree in Behavioural Economics at the University of Bath. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career where I could have tangible influence and impact and whilst doing my Masters, I applied (and was accepted onto) the Civil Service Fast Stream as an Operational Researcher. As part of the scheme you undertake a number of different rotations with the aim of giving you exposure to a range of different environments and policy areas. My first 2 rotations both took place at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) where I first worked in National Accounts helping produce the methodology used to calculate GDP and other key economic indicators before latterly taking up a role in a team responsible for Policy Analysis. These roles both involved applying analytical techniques but it was the strategic aspect of the second role which I particularly enjoyed. In March 2020 the pandemic began and I was promoted off the scheme to head up the ONS' Coordination Team who were a crisis response team set up to coordinate the ONS' analytical response and work with Number 10 and the Cabinet Office to deliver data and insights into decision makers. This remit has now expanded to cover emerging crises such as the Cost of Living, Supply Chains and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and I take great pride in the role my team plays in helping the country navigate these challenges."

  

• Matt Jones
  Bradley Stoke Community School Student
  Matt Jones

  I started at Bradley Stoke Community School in 2013. I completed all my GCSEs there and went on to study at the BSCS Post-16 Sixth Form. I did my A-levels in Criminology, Business Studies, and Psychology. Although my time at sixth form was cut short by the Covid-19 Pandemic, I still have lots of fun and good memories of my time at BSCS. Since my time at BSCS, I've graduated from university with a degree in Sociology. Currently, I'm in Bristol studying a masters in Law doing the Solicitors Training Course. I hope to be taking my qualifying exams soon and working towards becoming a qualified solicitor.

• Sam Bracey
  Winterbourne Academy Student
  Sam Bracey

  I left in 2010.

  I went to SGS College to do a BTEC level 3 in Sports

  Coaching combined with their Cricket Academy.

  In 2012 I went to Cardiff Met University to study Sport & Physical Education graduating in 2015 with a 1^st Class Hons degree.

  In Sept 2015 I went travelling to Australia & New Zealand before returning in 2016 with no idea what I wanted to do.

  I tried my hand at Sports Coaching (specifically cricket) in a school and being a groundsman before seeing advert for Avon & Somerset Police.

  I joined in July 2017 on the 'Police Now' scheme specifically for graduates. Initially based at Trinity Road in Bristol as a PC he is now a Sergeant at Broadbury Road Police Station having passed his promotion exams in Dec 2021.