Currently I am studying four A Levels: History, Psychology, English Literature and Biology. For me, I find the most valuable part of Sixth Form is the independence and self-reliance compared to the previous years. The feeling of being part of a close knit community like the Sixth Form family also helps tremendously. I would like to pursue a career in Psychology, Neuroscience or Law as the idea of how the mind works in many situations never ceases to intrigue me.
Having enjoyed Year 12 studying Further Maths, Physics and Computing, I'm looking forward to coming back into Sixth Form in Year 13. I prefer the Sixth Form to the main school because of the extra independence and the relationship with staff. The main thing I enjoy about life in Sixth Form at the Howard is the relaxed environment in the common room, where we are able to revise, work on assignments or socialise. I'm hoping to study Maths at university and am currently preparing my application.
During my time at the Howard of Effingham Sixth Form I studied Economics, English Literature and English Language with an aim to study Economics at my top choices of Exeter or Nottingham University. I look back at my time at the Howard of Effingham extremely fondly; the lessons were always engaging and the teachers would fully support you to help you achieve your academic goals. From RAG week to our very own Football League, there’s so many opportunities for students to get involved in all the activities and social side of Sixth Form life. The Howard of Effingham gave me every opportunity to be able to start my career in the City as a school leaver – an option different to many of my peers. I strongly believe the image of apprenticeships is changing and there is no longer a one route option into the world of finance. If you get the opportunity, go for it.
I studied Psychology, Philosophy & Ethics, and Mathematics, to A level, while in Sixth Form. I enjoyed all my lessons and in particular I was really challenged and engaged in Philosophy & Ethics, where the classes were often filled with fascinating debates and discussions.
Throughout my time at the Howard, I was also training as an elite middle-distance athlete, which could be extremely demanding at times, and so a key focus for me was to maintain a balance between training, competing and my studies.
The school, however, was extremely supportive of both my academic and sporting commitments, and ensured that I had the right resources to help me complete my A levels to the best of my ability.
Since leaving the Howard, I went on to achieve a first class honours Psychology degree at Royal Holloway University of London. This was a huge achievement for me, considering I continued to pursue my athletics career alongside my studies, and even completed some of my major exams abroad while I was away racing.
I can say, with all honesty, that I benefited tremendously from having a solid spring board in the Sixth Form. I have been able to achieve academically as well as compete in the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, also securing two national championships in my first year as a senior athlete.
I am now currently a full time elite athlete training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Howard holds some of my fondest memories. The community at the Sixth Form is really something quite special: supportive teachers that give you the tools and environment to thrive in, a brilliant range of subjects, friendships that are lasting a lifetime and the most nurturing and FUN culture you could ask for. I went on to take English Lit at Durham, largely down to an incredible experience studying it at the Howard and there’s simply no better place to study than amongst the cobbles and cathedral (along with the ‘worst’ nightclub in Europe)! I now have the privilege to work everyday with the big yellow bear at BBC Children in Need, creating and executing the marketing and fundraising strategy to help change the lives of over 480,000 children every year.
I studied Art, Textiles and English Literature at A Level so studying at the Howard, for me, was the beginning of learning about the creative professions, and where I started to develop my skills and direct my enthusiasm for the subject. After Sixth Form, I went on to do an Art Foundation Course at University of the Creative Arts Farnham which led me to study art at degree level, at The Slade School of Fine Art (UCL) and Sculpture at the Royal College of Art for my Master's degree. In 2013 I won the Woon Prize for Painting and Sculpture which was a grant of £20,000 to fund a year-long residency at BALTIC 39 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 2016 I won the Kenneth Armitage Young Sculptor Award. I am now exhibiting in the UK and internationally and plan to continue to develop my art practice. You can find more details of my work at www.hollyhendry.com
Are you a former student of the Howard? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at alumni@thehoward.org and let us know what you're up to, ideally by completing and returning this form. Why not also connect with us on LinkedIn?