Alumni
“I qualified from King’s College University as a registered Adult Staff Nurse and I now work as a neuro-intensive care nurse at the RVI. I loved my time at Sixth Form and, looking back, I really do value the time I spent there. I really liked that I still had structure at Sixth Form, in my study periods I was motivated to do work so that I had more free time at the weekends. They helped me choose a university and pushed me when I doubted myself”
Georgia Green, Nursing London University and now Neuro-Intensive Care Nurse RVI Newcastle
“I attended St. Aidan’s after studying GCSEs at Southmoor Community School and the decision was one of the best I’ve made, definitely one I wouldn’t look back on. The friendly staff, beautiful building, excellent teaching and community atmosphere make it a great place to study AS and A levels. St. Aidan’s gave me some excellent friends and unforgettable memories, and I consider the Sixth Form to have played a major role in getting me my place at university.”
James Allison
“I have taught English at St. Thomas More Blaydon for 8 years and am now Head of English at St. Mary’s in Newcastle. I have such fond memories of St Anthony’s Sixth Form, where I formed lifelong friendships and was inspired by the knowledge, enthusiasm and care of the teaching staff. I still feel their influence every day in my own work as a teacher”.
Anne Clough (nee Humphrey), English at University of Edinburgh and now Head of English St Mary’s Academy Newcastle.
“ I studied at St. Aidan’s from 2008-2015. I’m now at the University of Nottingham studying Veterinary Medicine. Studying at St. Aidan’s was one of the most memorable times of my life; I always knew I had support and guidance”
Timothy Ng, Veterinary Medicine University of Nottingham
“Sixth Form at St Anthony’s, with the help of fantastic teachers, was where I realised what I was good at and what I was passionate about – politics and languages – and this put me on a path to working in policy. Now I have a job where I can combine both of these passions and this wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t been encouraged to pursue these passions at Sixth Form.
Rebecca Lister Modern Foreign Languages Durham University and International Strategy Officer for the Football Association.
“ I would say the best thing I got out of the experience of moving to St. Aidan’s (at 16) from Whitburn was that I made new friends and settled into a new environment which helped me when I went to university”
Nick Pringle
“I am a Manager at Deloitte UK, Guide Leader at St. George’s Sunderland and a mum of two! I finished my ACA a few years ago and now do independent quality reviews of financial statements. St. Anthony’s was the perfect place to study for my A-levels and to make sure I got the grades I needed for my law degree. I made lifelong friends and always look back on my time with fond memories and would recommend it to any girls I know. I reminisce with some of my guides about the school and the teachers I had for my subjects (Politics, French, Maths and History) who were some of the most enthusiastic I have ever met, and it really did make all the difference”.
Leeanne Gaffney (nee Baxter), Lawyer and Manager Deloitte UK
“I’m currently working as a Paralegal at Longden Walker and Renney Solicitors based in Sunderland. I am about to start a Training Contract as a trainee solicitor. I studied the M Law Exempting degree at Northumbria University. Regarding my time at St Aidan’s, I started as a quiet boy, but left as a confident young man. The best part about St Aidan’s for me was the personable staff and the encouragement from them to always aim high. Due to this, I was able to achieve my aspiration to become a solicitor, starting soon as a trainee”.
Conor Cartledge, Trainee Solicitor
“ I graduated from Newcastle University in 2015 in Biomedical Sciences and am currently studying Medicine at Durham University. I work part time for South Tyneside Sport and Leisure as a coach (I do PE lessons, after school clubs, breakfast clubs, disability and mainstream holiday schemes etc). I am still rowing and doing athletics. St Anthony’s made me the person I am today. Not only do they provide excellent teaching that allows you to achieve the grades you need, but they also give you the chance to develop as an individual. Through the responsibilities and opportunities I was given in my role as Head Girl and the amazing support and care shown by the staff, I left Sixth Form ready to face the next stage of my life with confidence”.
Katherine Bulmer Biomedical Science Newcastle University and Medicine Durham University
“St. Aidan’s helped me achieve better grades than I needed, as well as giving me the opportunity to go to Ecuador and make loads of new friends. I am now studying at Durham University and owe a lot of this to the staff at St. Aidan’s”
James Dunlop, Medicine Durham University
“My time at St Anthony’s Sixth Form was filled with great memories. I was presented with many opportunities, from organising the leavers’ ball, to touring Prague and Dublin with the School Choir. I felt like my views mattered, and that is a real credit to the staff, who were always ready to listen and explore ideas on an equal-footing.”
Jennifer Brown, Oxford University and now Editorial Assistant at “The Economist”.
“I have visited St Aidan’s on several occasions since leaving, each time with a favour in mind. I have always been given the time, help and advice I sought. Even a decade on I am treated as a member of the school, which is why I know I will return throughout my life when I need counsel and support. As a teacher myself now, I only hope I can have the profound effect on my pupils as the staff had on me when I was growing up. St Aidan’s is a wonderful establishment.”
Emilio Basilisco, Teacher
