In the summer of 2000, I was one of just four students from across the Midlands to be awarded a degree apprenticeship with the PSA Group (which owned Peugeot and Citroën). I worked for the company four days per week, training in many different areas of the IT department, and attended the University of Central England in Birmingham on day release to study for a BSc (Hons) in Management. During me time at PSA, one of my greatest achievements was being part of the project management team that developed, launched and supported Peugeot’s new UK dealer management system. I attended various meetings in Paris and had French lessons at work each week with a very nice teacher called Rosemary! By the time I completed my degree (I achieved a 2.1), I had five years’ work experience and a very good benefits package, which included a generous salary, a company car and a final salary pension. The company also paid all my university fees. 

Through my university studies, I became interested in Human Resource Management and, on completion of my degree, I successfully applied for a role in PSA’s Human Resources Department. I worked in Human Resources for around 10 years, moving to Nationwide Crash Repair Centres in 2007 where I set up and managed an in-house recruitment team, overseeing recruitment for around 80 branches across the UK and massively reducing the company’s recruitment costs and time-to-hire. Following the birth of my daughter, I moved to a more creative company (a German company with international operations in the photo printing industry) and worked closely with the Head of HR and an external branding agency on a complete employer rebrand, including the launch of a new recruitment website and social media channels. 

In 2015, my husband (a surveyor) and I set up our own business, supplying measured building and topographical surveys to clients in London, the Cotswolds and other parts of the UK. I look after the day-to-day administration of the business and bookkeeping, which I really enjoy. Alongside this, I have worked part-time in Kingsley’s Marketing Team since 2017. Returning to school for my interview was surreal, but also really exciting, and I was so pleased to be offered the job! 

French was my weakest subject in Sixth Form (I achieved A, B, C in my A-levels – the C was in French!), but my teachers were so supportive. I knew that studying a language with business and IT would stand me in good stead for the future. It undoubtedly helped me secure a place on Peugeot Citroën’s degree apprenticeship programme. 

I remember learning about accounting and different types of businesses (sole traders, limited companies etc) in Sixth Form. This all came flooding back to me when my husband and I were setting up our business! I really enjoyed business studies at Kingsley – it gave me a solid foundation in the subject, and sparked my interest in joining the corporate world and studying management at degree level. 

I have never regretted taking A-level ICT. I learned so many skills, which have proven invaluable in everything I have done since. From my first job in the ICT Department at PSA, to my current role marketing Kingsley, being able to use and adapt to different software packages and systems has been great. I’m also a keen photographer and enjoy video editing; my technical skills have enabled and fuelled countless creative projects! 

I think the biggest thing my Kingsley education taught me is that it’s OK to follow your passions, even if they take you on lots of twists and turns and result in career changes. Being a Kingsley student also taught be to be strong and independent, and to take a few (measured!) risks in life. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to set up my own business without this philosophy!

I worked really hard in Sixth Form, but I also had such a good time with my friends. The common room had a great atmosphere! Our Head of Sixth Form, Ms Dyson, was so supportive and caring, as were all our teachers. We used to have a double ICT theory lesson on a Friday afternoon and Mrs Jones, our ICT teacher, would give us squash and biscuits to keep us all awake! I always felt happy and comfortable at school but, at the same time, I was motivated and determined, and I wanted to do well.