ALUMNI PROFILES

We are very proud of our alumni and the diverse paths that they have chosen to pursue. If you were a student at Dereham Sixth Form College and have an interesting story to tell us, become a member of our Alumni Society. We’d love to hear about your life after DSFC. Here are just some of our alumni.

Niamh Walby (Attended DSFC 2015-2017)

Niamh studied BTEC Level 3 Children’s Play, Learning and Development at Dereham Sixth Form College. After leaving DSFC in the summer of 2017 she was offered a place at the famous nannying school in Bath known as Norland College. At Norland, Niamh will be completing her BA Hons Degree in Children’s Learning and Development, as well as gaining the Norland Diploma. She says, “Mrs Bewick was my teacher at DSFC who taught me on the BTEC course. She supported me along with my family to help me achieve my dream.
(Information provided by Niamh, October 2017.)

Edward Colman (Attended DSFC 2013-2015)

Edward studied for A Levels in English Language and Literature, Environmental Studies, Geography and Media. After leaving DSFC, he joined the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, whilst also working as a freelance journalist. Currently, Edward works as a Digital Development Editor for ‘Today’s Golfer / Golf World’. He says, “[I had] very supportive staff that made a real difference and were always on hand to help with CV writing and advice. They were very supportive of work experience placements while at College and provided me with everything I needed to succeed, not only academically.”
(Information provided by Edward, September 2016.)

Sam Hannan (Attended DSFC 2013-2015)

Sam is currently working for Capgemini (one of the world’s largest IT outsourcing companies) on their Degree Apprenticeship Scheme where there are around 1,000 applicants for each place. Whilst at DSFC he studied for A Levels in Computing, Business Studies, English Language and Literature and Spanish. Sam’s role in the company involves working as a PL/SQL Developer on a high profile public sector account. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at DSFC where I learned both academic skills and broader life skills. I studied a broad range of subjects – not a common combination! – and found all subject areas to be taught by friendly, passionate staff.”
(Information provided by Sam, September 2016.)

Felicity Meachem (Attended DSFC 2012-2014)

Felicity studied for A Levels in Photography, Art and English Literature. In 2014 she began an Art Foundation Course at Wensum Lodge, Norwich and the following year embarked on a Fine Art Painting Degree at the University of Brighton where she is currently in her second year. “I loved being a student at Dereham Sixth Form College. I remember great times from my multi-European exchange to the Netherlands, the many gallery trips we took to London and photographing the Sixth Form Leaver’s Ball.”
(Information provided by Felicity, October 2016.)

Harry Scrivener (Attended DSFC 2011-2014)

After studying a range of courses at DSFC (Philosophy & Ethics, Psychology, Biology, Sociology, Classics and Law), Harry is currently studying Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Essex with a year’s study abroad in Malta. Of the Sixth Form, Harry commented: “Dereham Sixth Form changed my life. When I started Sixth Form, I lacked confidence both in academics and in my ability to socialise with my peers. During my years at Sixth Form, I built up a number of friendships and was given the chance to go on various trips, including a model U.N. conference and a visit to the Supreme Court. These friendships and experiences, along with the support of the teachers, allowed me to become a more confident person and one who could see myself studying at a higher level.”
(Information provided by Harry, January 2018.)

Lewis Long (Attended DSFC 2010-2012)

Lewis gained A Levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and History as well as an AS in Chemistry and the EPQ. After leaving DSFC he studied for a BEng in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Surrey. Following on from this, Lewis is now studying for an MSc in Composites at Imperial College, London. In between the two courses he worked at GE Aviation designing components for Airbus aircraft.
(Information provided by Lewis, September 2016.)

Harry Palmer (Attended DSFC 2010-2012)

Harry studied Maths, Physics, Computing and Film Studies at the College before attending the University of Hertfordshire to study Aerospace Engineering with Space Technology. After three years, Harry graduated with First Class Honours and went on to complete his Pilot Training, during which he spent some time in New Zealand. Since October 2016, Harry has been a First Officer with EasyJet based in Geneva and Paris and is flying an Airbus A320 around Europe.
(Information provided by Harry, April 2018.)

Claire Willis (Attended DSFC 2009-2012)

Claire studied for A Levels in Chemistry, Biology and Physics and also took AS Levels in Drama and English Language. After leaving DSFC she has been studying at the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has already gained a First Class BSc (Hons) Degree in BioVeterinary Science and is due to graduate as a Veterinary Surgeon in 20189.
(Information provided by Claire, September 2016.)

Helena Fox (Attended DSFC 2009-2011)

Attending DSFC to study Sociology, Geography, Philosophy & Ethics, Helena chose to undertake a BSc in Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London. During this time she also trained as a Special Constable with Surrey Police. After graduating from University, Helena moved to Australia for eight months whilst deciding on which direction her career should go. Whilst in Australia, Helena made the decision to apply for the forces and joined Britannia Royal Naval College for her initial training in May 2017. This included a six-week stint on HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean. In the December, she passed out of Dartmouth and moved to HMS Raleigh where is now training to become a Logistics Officer. Of her time at DSFC Helena says, “I really enjoyed my time at the College. I went on some brilliant trips including New York, Siciliy and Aberystwyth on a Geography field trip (which funnily ended up being my favourite). As an active member [of the College], I got to represent the College’s environmental committee at many regional conferences.”
(Information provided by Helena, May 2018.)

Matthew Surman (Attended DSFC 2010-2011)

Matthew went to UEA to study Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (MChem) after completing his A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Sport. Now a Ph.D. student at the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the University of Bath, Matthew recalls his time at DSFC. “The staff were really great at encouraging me to work towards the best of my ability. Great working and relaxing environment.”
(Information provided by Matthew, January 2018.)

Jessica Stockdale (Attended DSFC 2008-2010)

Jessica left Dereham with high grades in A Level Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and History. Alongside these she also studied AS Government & Politics and completed the EPQ. “On leaving DSFC I took a Mathematics degree at the University of Nottingham, achieving a First Class Honours. In 2014 I began studying for my PhD in Statistics, which focuses on epidemic modelling.”
(Information provided by Jessica, September 2016.)

Sam Braysher (Attended DSFC 2005-2007)

Sam gained a Jazz Saxophone BMUs at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama after completing A Levels in Music, English Language and Literature and Government and Politics at DSFC. He now works as a freelance jazz saxophonist in London. “I play a wide range of music and have performed at venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The Vortex, 606 Jazz Club, the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, etc. I also teach saxophone and clarinet at two schools in East London and have taught jazz saxophone at City University, London. My debut album, recorded in new York with an American pianist, is due for release in 2017.”
(Information provided by Sam, October 2016.)

Rob Impey (Attended DSFC 2004-2006)

Rob studied A Level Biology, Chemistry and Geography, as well as AS Level Business Studies whilst at DSFC. He commenced work as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn in the September after leaving Sixth Form. This involved studying for a fully funded day-release BSc (Hons) in Applied Biomedical Science at Anglia Ruskin University, whilst working full-time, rotating through the four disciplines of the Pathology Laboratory of the QEH. Rob graduated in August 2010 and went on to practice as a qualified Biomedical Scientist (BMS). From then until 2013 he worked in the Microbiology Laboratory at the QEH and was lucky enough to be involved in some exciting implementation projects. He also undertook the IBMS’s Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology which he was awarded in July 2013. Rob is now a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Microbiology at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and has recently commenced an MSc in Biomedical Science in order to “better understand the theory behind what we do in the laboratory, and to gain a qualification that will see me eligible for promotion to the next level and beyond”
(Information provided by Rob, September 2017.)

Simon Mowbray (Attended DSFC 2004-2006)

Simon left us in 2006 having studied Sports Studies, Business Studies and Geography. In 2009 he graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sports Development and Coaching. “On completion of my degree I spent three months coaching soccer in the USA to support the knowledge and experience that I had gained in my degree. In August 2009 I created the sports coaching company ‘Multi Sport Pro’ along with a fellow graduate. In seven years we have gone from operating in one small rural school working two hours a week to working in over 50 primary schools in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.” In 2014 Multi Sport Pro, with Simon at the helm as Managing Director, were shortlisted for the Small/Medium Business of the Year for Lincolnshire and won third place.
(Information provided by Simon, September 2016.)

SiDr Chris Jones (Attended DSFC 2001-2003)

Dr Chris Jones studied English, French, History and Law with us. He initially studied Law and French Law at the University of Surrey but left the course. He then enrolled for a BA in Modern History at the University of East Anglia. Having graduated with First Class Honours he then completed an MA in Modern European History followed by a PhD at UEA. He is now employed as a Lecturer in International History at the University. In 2016 we welcomed Dr Jones back to College to take part in our university lecture series. “I had a great time going back to my old sixth form to talk to some aspiring students. Such a good college with great staff and students.”
(Information provided by Chris, October 2016.)

Other Notable Alumni
Jonathan Jones – Principal Cameraman on BBC’s Planet Earth II
Tim Price – CEO of Gplus Europe
Chris Rankin – Actor
Will Smith – Wheelchair Athletics Athlete

X