Our successful former students tell their story and offer advice.

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Sara Harker
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I studied for a Bachelors Degree in Law and a Masters Degree in International Human Rights Law. I now work at the University of Derby as an Admissions Manager and my team are responsible for processing applications for undergraduate programmes.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Hard work pays off and keep going! "
Leaver 2012
James Pyrah
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I did A levels at South Craven, a Degree in Geology and Oceanography at the University of Wales in Bangor, a PhD in Engineering Geophysics, also at Bangor, followed by an 18 months post doc, also at Bangor. I lived in North Wales for nearly 10 years. Got a job working for a company specialising in offshore site investigation, which in turn entailed travel all round the world, drilling holes in the seabed. Since then I have worked in subsea construction for around 20 odd years. I am now helping to build a greener planet via working for Orsted, one of the worlds biggest offshore wind developers. I am currently working on the construction of the worlds biggest windfarm, Hornsea 2, off the coast of Yorkshire (1.2GW). I am also supporting the Company on upcoming projects all round the world. I have lived all over the place but ended up living in Richmond.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Work hard and don't give up. Sometimes you need to step down a bit in the short term to step further up in the longer term. Make sure to keep practising your musical instrument everyday as music stays with you for life. "
Leaver 1986
Peter Altham
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Since I left UWS, I went to Myerscough College to do BTEC in National Diploma in Sport- while I was there I represented Sale Sharks Academy and North of England U18. I then went to UCLAN to do Sport Coaching degree which I achieved 2:1 which I went to progress to do PGCE in Secondary PE at University of Cumbria. I am now back at Myerscough College as a Lecturer in Rugby teaching and coaching aspiring players. I am also now playing rugby union for Preston Grasshoppers and Lancashire in Bill Beaumont Cup which we played at Twickenham 7 times winning 5 of them.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Push yourself to the best you can be. "
Leaver 2005
Rebecca Nelson
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving Upper Wharfedale School, I completed a BTEC National in Business & Finance, following which I undertook a number of retail management positions. I then had a break from my career to bring up my family. That is when I developed an interest in early years education. I helped out at childcare groups and my local primary school which finally resulted in me becoming a teaching assistant. I attended a number of teaching assistant courses, which enabled me gain Higher Level Teaching Assistant status. I felt I didn't want to stop there, so whilst working full time I enrolled onto a BA Hons Degree in Young Children's Learning and Development course. After successfully completing the degree I decided to go for Qualified Teacher Status. This is when the shortfall of my school exam results came back to haunt me. Under achieving in both science and maths was not going to stop me, but taking these GCSE did inflicted further strain which I could have avoided if I had tried that bit harder whilst at school. Eventually at the age of 45 I became a qualified teacher and now, a number of years on, I teach in an Early Year's Foundation unit at a local primary school.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Get your maths and science because if you don't it will catch up with you soon enough. I am actually quite good at both!! "
Leaver 1987
Gavin Hindle
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Following completion of my A levels, I achieved BEng from the University of Manchester. I joined the Tarmac graduate scheme which took me to various locations throughout the UK, following which i then joined J N Bentley in Skipton. Currently I am a Company Director of Byworth Boilers in Keighley.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Be humble, honest, and hardworking ! "
Leaver 1987
Ella Blundell
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Done my A levels in DT, biology and geography on a scholarship at Giggleswick School. Achieved AA*A*. Currently at Glasgow University doing Geography as my degree and psychology and politics as my electives.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

It is honestly isn't as important as you think and you need to stop stressing. I got a 6 in GCSE geography, took it at A level because I had no idea what I wanted to take as my 3rd subject, I came out with an A*, 90% in my coursework and now it's my degree. Things can change! "
Leaver 2019
Joseph Tiplady
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I left UWS and went onto Ermysteds having completing my A levels in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. I went to the University of Bath to study a masters in Robotics Engineering, currently I am in my third year on a placement at ThermoFisher Scientific as a Technical Support Engineering Intern.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Always try new things, but don’t give up when it gets too hard, if you don’t try something for long enough you’ll never know if that’s your special skill. Try as much as you can and find your passion. "
Leaver 2017
Charlie Lawn
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I joined an apprenticeship scheme in Civil Engineering for JN Bentley/ Mott Macdonald Bentley. Since then I have been accepted to become a qualified Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and I am now professionally recognised as an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Concentrate and work hard but most importantly...ENJOY "
Leaver 2016
Adam Cox
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I started a pathway in sports coaching. Along this journey I began to learn that I enjoyed the business side of things as much as the coaching and therefore I started my own Tennis academy. I then furthered this by becoming one of the first coaches in the UK to build, and manage a facility, 'Skipton Tennis Centre' in 2017 at Wimbledon. Skipton Tennis Centre was voted National club of the year by British Tennis. I have always been extremely competitive, and I could clearly see the correlation between being competitive in sport and in business. I was able to turn my hobby and passion (Tennis) into a career in business. I found if you enjoy what you do you can do this with a great degree of tenacity, conviction, motivation, curiosity and patience for the long game. In more recent years, since the 2017 award I have spent time in the US state of Florida learning how they operate and manage Tennis facilities and programmes, we are currently exploring a partnership with a facility, in the US. Very importantly this journey is still young for me as I constantly shift goals and aspirations to keep me playing a longer strategy. I consistently enjoy how what I do helps communities stay active and healthy, I believe a healthy mind is a healthy person. Helping people and showing kindness is one of greatest things we can do.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

The game is long and certainly not a one size fits all. Some will be academic, some of you will be sporty and some great at arts and craft. It is OK and, in most cases, a good thing if you haven't found your passion. Be patient as in in 15 years' time when your 30 you will still be young, for most people it doesn't happen overnight. Explore curiosity at every opportunity, fill your mind with knowledge and when you find what that thing is, attack it with tenacity and conviction. Never be afraid to walk your own path. "
Leaver 1998
Andrew Triggs Hodge
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Environmental science BSc at Stafforshire Uni, Water Science Policy and Management MSc at University of Oxford. Represented GB at 4 Olympic Games: Athens 2004 (9th), Beijing 2008 (1st), London 2012 (1st), Rio 2016 (1st). Worked for Tideway, large infrastructure project in London, 2016 to 2021 Now work for LYR, a fundraiser for a youth charity that supports disadvantaged young people with life skill development around rowing. Chair of the development board for Staffordshire University.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Keep trying, don’t be afraid to push or to ask questions of yourself and of others around you. "
Leaver 1995
Karen Cooke
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I went to Keighley College to undertake a pre nursing course before starting my adult nursing career at Airedale hospital, whilst working on the Children’s Ward I realised I wanted to pursue a career in Paediatric nursing, I completed my Children’s nurse training at Booth Hall, Manchester where I realised I wanted to work in Children’s Community nursing. I also completed my nursing degree when I was 40. For the last 24 years of my career I worked in a Children’s Community nursing team, this was an amazing job which had many challenges but most importantly I loved it. Since retirement I’ve been helping with the COVID vaccination programme.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Take every opportunity offered, you never know what it will bring and who you will meet along the way, and remain open minded. "
Leaver 1979
Rosina Horn
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I did the 'norm' and headed off to college (Leeds college of Art) and Uni (Derby) to study graphics and media. I left Uni knowing that the subjects I had studied were not my passion or purpose but was not sure what was! I had worked in hospitality throughout my studies and fell into the industry full time. For the next few years I worked hard building a successful career in the industry, running local dales pubs and restaurants. Alongside my time in hospitality I joined the fire service as a retained fire fighter for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. I left both industries in my late 20s knowing I was still looking for a true passion and purpose. I created a successful business in health and fitness with my family, teaching fitness classes and helping people with their nutrition. Helping people was the start of finding my purpose. I then fell back into hospitality after a big change of personal circumstance and became general manager of a restaurant, pub and hotel in the centre of Ilkley. Myself and the team were nominated for, and won awards within the company, I was nominated for GM of the year 3 years running. We became a training site for other managers and were leading the way among 24 other sites. I had my now 2 year old boy and my passion and purpose became incredibly important and I knew I had to make a major change in career choice. I left and began managing a Chiropractic clinic and spent the increased amount of available time I now had, to create a community based well-being magazine - VELVAERE - covering West Yorkshire, Craven and Harrogate with a vision of bringing people and their communities together through well-being.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Trust your gut, always! Don't settle for anything less than your passion and spend your younger days looking for your purpose. Never be afraid to change direction and make sure whatever you are doing makes you happy. "
Leaver 1999
Emma Holgate
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

At school I loved everything that was practical especially sport. Outside of school I did lots of outdoor sports such as climbing and sailing. So I found a pathway that would include what I love. So I went to college did a 2 year BTEC which gave me the points to do a degree in Outdoor Studies. Throughout I worked with clubs, volunteered at outdoor centres and gained industry qualifications. The qualifications helped me to travel the world for work, leading school expeditions. But also had a lot of fun along the way, with my own personal expeditions, plus racing my bike in the alps and UK for many years. The degree has given me a grounding and a level of academic knowledge to help throuhhout my journey and continues to do so. I'm now a tutor qualifying others in outdoor leadership and coaching on a mountain bike and skis at Scotland's national outdoor training centre. As well as still coaching biking and skiing to a high standard. In the middle of this I slotted in 6 years as a Police Constable too, which was a way to see a totally different side to society, earn reasonable money and have amazing opportunities such as 3 month secondment with the dog section or racing on my skis for the British police team in Austria every year all expenses paid.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Do what you have fun doing but think about the bigger picture, the details of what a job may be or where you want it to lead you to. Who inspires you, how did they get to where they are now? Be happy with what you do and if your not happy change do something different, try something new, be bold, have fun. "
Leaver 2000
Richard Wills
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I joined the Army as an installation technician in the Royal Signals straight after leaving UWS at 16, after a few years I transfer over to the Royal Army Medical Corps after completing a DipHE in operating department practice at UCE Birmingham becoming a registered ODP, after completing a tour of Northern Ireland and 2 tours in Afghanistan I decided to leave the Army after 10 years and started to work in hospital theatres and also trained as a offshore medic. I split my time between working globally on vessels offshore and hospital work when in the UK including working in critical care during the pandemic. Due to work I have been very lucky to travel far and wide and experience many different cultures.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Believe in yourself, keep reading and trust your instincts they have been pretty spot on. "
Leaver 1999
Catherine Kopec
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I loved my time at UWS but after leaving, had a hard time with A-Levels and various other attempts at college as I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I left education and worked in hospitality for a few years. I made lots of friends there but eventually didn’t like the hours and weekends working so moved to make Santa’s grottos and Christmas decorations for shopping centres, where I got to drive a forklift truck and learn a bit about construction and health and safety. After 4 years there, when I was 25, I decided that I wanted to become a Chartered Building Surveyor so left and went to Leeds College of Building and then Leeds Beckett University. I had struggled with confidence in exams, so my BTEC course at LCB was perfect for me as it was all coursework based. From the start, I made the decision to give it my best and I came out of there with triple distinction star and ‘student of the year’ award. I was also class rep and student governor. After that I took a year out and had my daughter. I then went on to do a BSc Hons in Building Surveying at Leeds Beckett and with the same attitude came out with a First Class degree and award for ‘Best Dissertation’. I also had my son during my time at Uni. After this I got a Graduate job at a global surveying firm and joined the RICS Matrics committee planning educational and social events for younger/ less qualified members of the profession. I was there for 4 years and last year made the jump to Arcadis where I now undertake lots of exciting work such as designing redevelopments, monitoring multi-million pound housing and industrial developments and project managing construction projects for hospitals. Juggling full time working with parenthood isn’t easy and I am still working towards obtaining my Chartership and hoping to complete this by the end of the year.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Try out lots of things you're interested in to see what you might like to do. Try and get your mind frame into a place where you feel focused and confident - whatever you choose to do. Above all, listen to yourself, push yourself when you can, ask for help when you need it and don’t forget to have fun along the way! "
Leaver 2000
Dan Thompson
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS with what can only be described as ""average"" GCSE results, I attended Craven College where I gained an AVCE and then a HND in business information technology. Whilst working towards my HND I started selling eBooks on eBay whilst also teaching myself Web Design to earn a bit of money! I managed to secure a small number of web design jobs from friends and family but soon realised that there was money to be made in the web hosting field. I quickly started Googling all things related to servers and web hosting and eventually felt confident enough to launch my own web hosting company along with a business partner. D9 Hosting was born in April 2007 and a hobby soon into a full time job for two people. Fast forward to the present day and the company is providing domain registration and web hosting services for over 20,000 websites for personal and business clients in over 50 countries. One of the highlights of the past 15 years was a trip over to Kerala in India to meet our 24/7 technical support team in person!

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Try to find work in an area that actually interests you, don't waste time working in a field that you have zero interest in. If you work in an area that you have an interest in then you'll naturally want to immerse yourself in the work and expanding your knowledge will be an enjoyable experience rather than a chore. "
Leaver 2001
Rob Mills
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I completed 2 BTEC courses, one in Business Administration and one in Travel. I worked in retail for the first few years after leaving school but in 1994 I joined Airtours and started my career in the travel industry. I started as a rep in Spain, working in Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Salou. I quickly moved up within the company, managing large teams in Spain. in 2000 I was offered the chance to run the operation in Las Vegas for the next 2 years. After that I worked in Cancun, Jamaica, and Florida where I ran all the USA programs for what was at the time the largest tour operator in the world, taking care of holidaymakers in Hawaii, L.A, San Francisco and more. Leaving the company in the mid-2000's I moved to Toronto Canada and decided to become a Real Estate Broker, over the last 16 years I have built a successful business and I am now about to launch a new venture in the coming weeks in the Crypto Currency world. I was lucky to meet my wife here and start a family, I am relieved to say my 2 daughters love school and get much better marks than I ever did! Toronto is one of the fastest growing cities in North America and its an exciting time to live here and see the city change. We are home to the financial hub for Canada and we have a booming tech and film industry, its like a mini New York. I miss my days growing up in Yorkshire and treasure the memories and friends I made at Upper Wharfedale.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

You may not know what you want to do with your life when you leave school, and that's okay. Take the opportunities life offers you, embrace life, and the path will become clear. "
Leaver 1985
Naomi Hanna
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Since leaving UWS I went into hairdressing but found out it wasn't really my Passion. I got married and had my two boys and come a stay at home mum. But once they were both in school, I went to study becoming a TA. I have work myself up and now I am SEN supervisor. I love what I do now and have never looked back since.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Not to put all your eggs in one basket! I thought I will always be a hairdresser so I didn't try as hard as I could of done at school and I wish I did, it would have made my journey to where I am now alot easier. Always have a backup plan! Your positive action, combined with positive thinking and hard work will always result in success! Believe in yourself you can and your half way there! "
Leaver 1999
Eleanor Walker
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

Since leaving Upper Wharfedale I have completed several college courses, in beauty, make up & hairdressing. I completed a course in photography and worked as a photographer. I have written and recorded my own album and performed at weddings and special occasions. I have three children and one of them (Mika’il) now attends Upper Wharfedale!

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not capable of achieving something. Once you believe it your ambition deflates! "
Leaver 2002
Matthew Watson
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I attended Ermysteds Grammar School where I obtained three A grades at A level in Biology, Economics and Geography. I then went to Loughborough University and got a degree (2:1, BSc) in P.E, Sports Science and Recreation Management. During my time there I ran for the England and Great Britain Junior teams at cross country and 10000m on the track. After leaving University I worked for a year and then travelled for a year round Europe, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. On my return I started work in Financial Services, starting as a mortgage underwriter, then a mortgage adviser and mortgage broker before moving into Audit and Compliance roles. I have qualifications in Financial Advice, Mortgage Advice, General Insurance and Compliance. I am currently Compliance Monitoring Lead for Skipton Building Society. I have represented England senior team twice at Cross Country, am married and have two daughters. I love the Yorkshire Dales and still live locally and still run competitively as a Veteran.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Don't worry about what others think and don't be afraid of failure as it is great teacher. Take risks as it is better to have tried and failed than wondering what would have happened if you tried. "
Leaver 1996
Richard Chapman
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I went to Ermysteads to do A levels. De La Salle College (Manchester Uni) and Bradford College. Got my teaching certificate the same time Mrs Geldhart got hers!! 1 year teaching at Green Lane in Bradford Raleigh International - Malaysia. EMIGRATED TO CANADA after working there for several summers. Couldn't get in as a teacher at the time, dodged a bullet there and got into youth work. Done a variety of youth and family work over the last 22 years including running a wilderness program for young offenders and a summer camp. Now working as a counsellor for Canadian Mental Health Association at Foundry Kelowna Married with 2 kids and a dog ( Benny).

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Focus on what's in front of you. Life goes way too fast but if life sucks I believe everyone has a least one way out of the gloop. Whatever you are good at or love or are interested in is a road to a good life. Believe in yourself. "
Leaver 1986
Marie Stephenson
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

After leaving UWS I went on to do A level Biology Psychology Geography and General Studies. After passing these I went on to achieve my BSc in Agriculture and Business management at UCLAN. Since then I have worked as a Ruminant specialist and later became Field Sales Manager for the international company Forfarmers. I have also got married and had two wonderful children Alexis and John. John very sadly was born with a genetic disorder where his kidneys wouldn’t work and so in 2014 I donated one of my kidneys to him. He was 3 years old and has thrived ever since. I now lecture part time at Leeds university on managing home care for children with long term illness along side my role at Forfarmers.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Never doubt what you can achieve and that even as a woman you can succeed in a male dominated industry. "
Leaver 1996
Chris North
"What you've been doing since leaving UWS?

I never felt particularly academic but I did go on to college to gain some A-Levels before applying for places at several universities. I graduated in 2011 from a BSc Civil Engineering and MSc Engineering Project Management. After university I joined a company called Morgan Sindall to work on the Lee Tunnel project where I assisted in the delivery of several 80m shafts in my role as a Graduate Site Engineer. I was later promoted to Senior Engineer and I led a section of work called the Flow Transfer System which won the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Greatest Contribution to London Award. In 2016 I was promoted to Site Manager and later to Project Manager, on the Thames Tideway Tunnel mega-project, initially in charge of the Putney Embankment Foreshore and Barn Elms sites on Tideway, and later several other major projects. I was an ICE Presidents’ Future Leader 2013-14 and I went on to chair the ICE Inspirations Panel, assisting in the review of outreach programs aimed at 16-19 year olds. I’m a Chartered Civil Engineer and I was recipient of the ICE’s prestigious James Rennie Medal in 2021. I have been helping Civil Engineers to become professionally qualified for several years as a Supervising Civil Engineer and I became a Fellow of the ICE in 2021.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Don't worry if you haven't figured out what you're good at or what you want to do for work. Talk to lots of people about there jobs to see what they enjoy and ask them how they got there. "
Leaver 2003
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