ALUMNI
Adam Titi
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Soon after I left North Chadderton I went on to study for my A-Levels at Oldham Sixth form College. I chose Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and History in my first year and dropped history to focus on Biology, Chemistry and Psychology in my second year. Following on from my A levels I decided to go on to further education and got accepted for a 4 year integrated master’s program studying Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nottingham.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Right now, I am working in GSK, a large global biopharma company, as a clinical laboratory study manager. My area of focus is on clinical development of therapies for chronic Hepatitis B & Fibrosis & my day-to-day activities revolve around the operational setup & maintenance of global clinical trials. I am still new to this role, having recently moved from being a Senior Scientist within Cell & Gene therapy Analytical development for the past two years.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
I have always had an interest in Science, but i would say that North Chadderton definitely encouraged me to pursue this further.
Aimee Brierley
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
After completing my A-Levels at Sixth Form I perused a degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying working for Jacobs Engineering. This is a 5-year chartered apprenticeship so I attend Salford University 1 day per week to gain my BSc (Hons) in QS while working on major projects within the Jacobs team 4 days per week.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I'm currently in my 5th & final year of the degree apprenticeship so I should graduate from university in May 24 and then hopefully go onto sit my chartership soon after!
Work wise I'm currently working on a number of major projects acting as a QS on supporting schemes such as Preston Western Distributor Road & working alongside senior QS's on an MoJ framework. Day to day life as a QS is really interesting as each day is never the same, we get to visit sites and working as a PQS means we get to witness the entirety of the construction process right from the clients’ ideas at the beginning all the way through to completion.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
Studying A-Levels at sixth form allowed me to gain enough UCAS points to get onto my university course. I took Art, Film and Media at A-Level so although they don't directly relate to my current role in engineering, I'm glad I undertook A-Levels that I really enjoyed as it meant I enjoyed my lessons every day & they allowed me to be creative which I can still carry through and apply to some aspects of my current role.
Amelia Wood-Dixon
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Media, Culture and Communications at Leeds Beckett University
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Law Costs Draftsman
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
Public speaking is a big thing as I use to struggle but certain lessons/ studies at North Chadderton gave me the opportunity to work on this and become more confident in myself as a person
Catherine Boone
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I attended North Chadderton for Years 7-11 before leaving to attend Bluecoat Sixth Form where I studied Maths, Biology and Psychology at A-Level. After applying to university in Year 13, I secured a place at the University of Cumbria to study Children’s Nursing. 3 years of university later, I qualified with a First class Bsc(Hons) degree and began my career as a Paediatric Nurse at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. I have now been a qualified nurse for 7 years and work as a Paediatric Sister in A&E
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I currently work as a Paediatric Sister in a busy emergency department caring for poorly children and young people under the age of 16 years.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
North Chadderton gave me the perfect foundation in helping me achieve good grades at GCSE which allowed me to continue my academic journey into A-Level and beyond. They also helped build my confidence and supported me with my chosen career path.
Elle Shaughnessy
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I attended the University of East Anglia to study History.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Applying to study for a Primary PGCE at the University of Manchester
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
There were a variety of extra-curricular activities, I was often asked to help with things such as tutoring as well, this has really helped my applications for university. Performing regularly helped my confidence too. I was also Deputy Head Girl in year 11. I put this on all my applications too.
Elyssa Ward
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I went and studied my A levels in Maths, Physics & psychology, then I went to university and studied Fashion Buying & Merchandising
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I'm currently working in merchandising for a fashion brand (Club L London). I did my placement year here as a merchandising admin assistant and they have asked me to stay part time whilst I finish my final year.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
Aside from my GCSE's North Chadderton really helped me develop my confidence.
Emily Royle
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
After I left, I studied for 2 years at the Manchester college doing a level 3 BTEC diploma in dance. I have then gone on to study at The Hammond in Chester for three years on a level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am currently in my last year at The Hammond training in professional musical theatre.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
I achieved a grade 9 in GCSE dance, the skills I learnt within this subject helped me to gain a place at other institutes to continue my training. I also learnt a lot completing my DofE bronze and silver awards such as basic cooking, orienteering and camping. Studying business studies has also helped me within the theory part of my course when it comes to tax and different business options.
Emma Bucys
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I went to Oldham Sixth Form to do my A Levels and then to university for my degree in Business Technology.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I’m working as a visualisation developer for an insurance analytics team.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
My maths GCSE helped me gain the foundations of problem solving which led me to analytics.
Fabiha Choudhury
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Whilst studying my degree, I have completed an Internship at Rolls Royce, at their Derby Location. I was a Systems Engineering & Verification Engineering [Hot End Development Trent 1000/7000] intern. Whilst there, I took part in the Sprint Project where I researched and created a high-quality proposal for suggestions of engine production cost reduction, suggesting legacy projects which were loved by the upper management.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am a final year student at the University of Leeds, studying Physics with Astrophysics with Foundation Year. In my speciality, I am learning about planet and star formation, and my final year project is using data from the GAIA Telescope to find our how Binary Star Systems can inform us about the end of life process for stars a similar size to our Sun.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
At North Chadderton, I studied Physics, Biology and Chemistry A-Levels. They really taught me how to manage to manage a large workload, how to multitask and how to prioritise things to make sure I get the job done.
Grace Potts
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
After leaving North Chadderton 6th Form I went to Manchester Metropolitan University to study Fashion Art Direction.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
In my third year of studying Fashion Art Direction at Manchester Metropolitan University as well as having a part time internship with Miss Foxy
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
GCSEs and a levels
Hannah Bucys
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I started at the University of Hull to study Physiotherapy.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am in my final year of university. I am currently playing wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball along with coaching at the university trampoline club.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
Communication, teamwork, resilience.
My A-levels allowed me to progress onto university.
Isabel Stockton
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Went to North Chadderton Sixth form for a year and then went to Hopwood Hall college.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Work at a cinema and as a barista
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
I gained my GCSE's. I gained confidence, and skills in time management, planning and organisation.
Lara Dunbar
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I went to University to be a primary school teacher but dropped out after a year because it wasn’t the right path for me. Throughout that summer I spent the whole time trying to figure out a job that would fit my personality and make me happy, and decided I wanted to work in music events. Shortly after, I got a job at a music booking agency organising European shows and tours for (primarily) American artists.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am currently a nightlife promoter and DJ! I run regular nights within the UK electronic music scene at venues including The Warehouse Project and Hidden. I have also hosted a stage / DJ’d at Gottwood Festival and will be playing in Croatia next summer!
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
I guess doing the shows with Performing Arts will have helped with my confidence to perform in front of people now! Although I was way more nervous back then. It meant that when I did perform in front of people I didn’t know for my job, that it wasn’t the first time I’d ever done it.
Leah Cadd
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I went to North Chadderton sixth form and then went to University of Chester to do a BA in primary education with QTS
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Teaching in a primary school- my 7th year of teaching now!
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
Social skills, academic, money skills (cashless dinners), independence, time keeping skills by being on time to classes!
Megan Cassells
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I studied Law, Business and Psychology at the Sixth Form. I knew that I enjoyed Law the most but I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do next. I researched and found two apprenticeships online that interested me. One of which was the Level 3 - Paralegal Apprenticeship. I applied because I thought 'what is the worst that can happen?'
After a lengthy interview process, I got the job and started working at Together Money in Cheadle in September 2021.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I started the Paralegal Apprenticeship and enjoyed it but I knew I wanted to progress further than that. I spoke to the Talent Acquisition Partner at Together and we spoke about what I wanted to do in the future.
I spoke to her honestly and said that I wanted to become a Solicitor. She seemed keen on the idea and we looked into my options.
A few months went by and I enrolled at the University of Law to begin my Level 6 - Solicitor Apprenticeship. I am now in my second year at the University and I love it. I study one day a week and work the other four. This is a six year-long qualification but once completed, I will be a qualified Solicitor
Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work and you need to be devoted to the profession but it is worth looking into. It is so important to do the research on what profession you want to explore.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
You don't realise at the time how important school actually is. You learn some skills that set you up for life.
Just as an example: I speak to Barristers, the Court, Solicitors, and other Legal Professionals daily. To do that, you need to be professional and know your audience. You also need to have the writing skills to draft letters, emails and much more!
Michael Rogers-McKenna
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
I went to UEA- to do BSc in Speech and Language therapy.
I worked as part of the NNUH neurosciences team and NCHC neurodevelopmental services in stroke recovery and autism/ADHD respectively.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am currently applying to work for neuroscience teams in Manchester focusing on video fluoroscopy and post-stroke eating difficulties.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
A-Level English language gave me a bounding head start on some of my colleagues in terms of understanding the English language and how sound is created, it ignited a very deep passion for speech and language which ultimately drove me towards my career path.
Milly Flanagan
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
After leaving North Chad, rather than going to university, I opted to go down the apprenticeship route and to “earn as I learn” by completing qualifications in Social Media, Digital Marketing and Business Administration, all while working for a Training firm in Manchester City Centre where I became an Apprenticeship Ambassador along the way.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am an Account Manager for the 4th largest Recruitment Agency in Europe, personally managing up to 300 temporary workers across my 14 clients around the Manchester area. I recruit and onboard candidates at on-site inductions, provide training relevant to their roles and develop strong working relationships with both my clients and staff.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
My ICT qualification has to be the one that’s helped most in my career with the use of spreadsheets and presentations featured heavily in my job role!
Ross Heighway
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
After leaving Sixth Form, I then went onto study Business Management at Manchester Metropolitan University before then taking a year to myself prior to starting my time with Manchester City Football Club, which is my current role six years later.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I am in Business Development at Manchester City Football Club, with the purpose of the role being to generate revenue for the Hospitality Department of the Club by selling Hospitality and Unique Experiences as well as implementing those experiences on a match-day both at the Etihad Stadium as well as travelling Europe for European competitions.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
I was awarded a range of GCSE qualifications A*-C however I think my time in Business Studies at A Level proved most useful, as I then took what I learnt there and decided to apply it to my time at university with the goal of eventually making my way into the "business-side" of football which was/is one of my main passions.
Stefan Okopskyi
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Attended the University of Huddersfield studying Graphic Design and Animation, graduated with a first.
What are you doing at the moment? :-
Working as an in-house graphic designer and videographer at a healthcare networking company.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
GCSEs and A level qualifications, but I use the theory from Media and the practical side of Graphics daily to drive my decision making. Product Design made me more aware of materials and manufacturing methods which helped a lot at university.
Vina Mistry
What did you do when you left North Chadderton? :-
Left to study Law with Criminology at the University of Liverpool
What are you doing at the moment? :-
I'm a residential property paralegal at Kuits Solicitors in Manchester. I am due to commence my training contract in September 2024.
What Skills/qualifications did you gain whilst at North Chadderton that have helped you with your careers? :-
My A level grades secured me a place at a red brick university to study Law. The guidance and expertise of my A level teachers was invaluable. I also learnt the value of teamwork as a lot of lessons involved group projects. The main take away from my time at North Chadderton is that any dream you have is attainable if you're willing to work hard enough for it. I carry this with me still.