Astor Alumni

At Astor we are proud of all our students and many of those students have gone onto work in truly amazing and successful careers. Please take five minutes of your time to enjoy reading the journeys of a small proportion of our amazing Astor Alumni.

 

Jasmine Stephens

I was never a superb student and struggled with the core subjects, having to retake my GCSEs to obtain the grades required to attend university (I took 7 times to pass Maths) I then studied at Astor 6th form, studying Health and Social Care, Ceramics and Graphics. I then went to London South Bank University to study Childrens Nursing, moving to London to do so.

During my last year of my degree I flew to Ghana to volunteer in a district hospital for a month, giving me the opportunity to experience healthcare in a 3rd world country. Once qualified I worked at the QEQM accident and emergency department for 6 months before realising I wanted more from my career, so I went to work at St George’s Hospital Accident and Emergency in London’s which is where I have been working the past 2 years,

I have recently taken a career break to travel South East Asia which I am so lucky to be able to do and have a career that enables me to do so.

 

Matthew 

I attended Astor Secondary School from September 1995 to July 2002.  My passion was sport and the double PE class was always the highlight of my week.   Academically, my GCSE grades were credible and I moved in to the 6th form in September 2000, preparing to study English Literature, History and Business Studies.  My A-Level choices were based on what I enjoyed with a very open mind on my future.  I left Astor in July 2002 with 10 GCSEs and 3 A-Levels, which secured a place at Canterbury Christchurch University to study Business Studies and Marketing. 

It was at this point my participation in sport started to decrease and my academic focus started to increase.  I graduated in the summer of 2005 with a 2:1 BSc degree.  Still not sure what I wanted to do next, I took the opportunity to go travel around New Zealand with a university friend.  I lived at home during my studies and the 4 months I spent away from home were valuable in developing new skills and assessing my next steps. 

Upon my return to the UK, I secured a job in the HR department at East Kent University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  I didn’t know at the time this would lay the foundations for my future career.  Nearly 20 years later, I am fortunate to have experienced several education opportunities alongside my role in the NHS, including the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in HR Management in 2010 and most recently an MBA in Business Administration.  My current role is Head of Education Services at a large London teaching hospital, where I lead a range of education programmes and management of our education facilities.   

 

Ellie Stone

During sixth form, I studied; Dance, Ceramics, ICT and Health & Social Care.I then went on to Canterbury Christ Church University and graduated with an upper 2:1 degree in Education Studies. My aspiration was to become a primary school teacher.

During my degree, I began my own business starting in Lash Extensions, in which was a training programme privately in London. Post degree I worked as Cabin Crew for British Airways and It was at this point I realised that maybe becoming a teacher was not truly what I wanted and after many difficult months navigating what it was I wanted to do, I felt most happiest when running my business.Now, after seven successful years we recently won our first award of ‘Lash Technician of the Year 2023’, have introduced my very own Lash and Brow Training Academy, and run at full capacity my own client books.

 

Katie Misson

For as long as I can remember my strengths have always been helping other people and staying creative. I never had a “dream job” I just knew that those were my focus points and everything else has followed. 

At Astor sixth form I studied Psychology, Health and Social Care, Art, and Graphics. I then went on to get a level 3 diploma in Theatrical Hair and Media Make up. I transferred the skills from college and pursued a short lived career as an editorial make up artist. 

I then went into full time employment at an insurance company working in a call centre. Mainly for the job security and to work on my credit score. At the age of 23 I bought a house with my partner who I have been with since sixth form. When I came back from maternity leave after having our son 4 years ago I landed a new job role for the same insurance company but working as a Quality Assurance Advisor. An admin based full time role working from home which allowed me to juggle motherhood, work and a new found passion for fitness. 

Since I started my fitness journey two years ago my life has changed for the better. I have helped others get into shape and made life long friends with similar interests. I have attracted some amazing opportunities at work over the last 6 months, featuring on a fitness podcast & I have been lucky enough to have trained a whole new Quality Assurance department in Cape Town, South Africa. This experience has been hard work but worth it as I have made some life long memories and friends.

Astor school gave me the love of my life, a son and the tools to build a wonderful life for myself. 

“Be grateful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.”

 

Alice Cooper

When I was at Astor, I studied Law, Psychology, General Studies and French. I left Astor in 2012 after finishing my A-levels to study Law at The University of Northampton. Three years later I graduated with a 2:1, lifelong friends and met my husband.

I worked in a solicitor firm for a couple of years and after deciding that wasn't for me, I started working at The Open University. I worked my way up to become a Qualifications Manager. Whilst in this role I've gained an Open Master's degree specialising in HR & Law. Since working here, I have discovered a passion for helping others learn. There are many success stories from people of all backgrounds, it is inspiring to be part of it. This wasn't the path I had expected to take but it's one I am glad I took.

My journey since leaving Astor has shown that it can take a while to find a passion and that's ok. I have travelled to many places and learnt a lot about the world and myself along the way. It has helped me see how important and life changing education can be.

 

Bobbie Willis

During my time at Astor College 6th form back in 2008, I studied level 2 BTEC Childrens Learning and Development. I knew back then I always wanted a job in the future in childcare so this was the perfect course for me to take. During this course I went out and did placements in different nursery settings, I took home a virtual baby for the weekend, all this around doing the course work which was actually very enjoyable too! I passed this course with a Merit grade, which gave me the grade I needed to look for a job in a nursery setting. After I left 6th form, I got a part time job in a supermarket, whilst I looked for a job in a nursery. After 2 years in this job, I fell pregnant with my daughter and then for the next 10 years I concentrated on being a mother, to my daughter and then my son. I do really believe the childcare course I studied at Astor College actually helped me in ways to parent, which I am very thankful for.The year 2022 is when I finally found my dream job in a pre-school local to me. I can safely say I love my job. The sense of achievement it gives, helping young children grow and develop, is so rewarding. Every day is different, and I am now currently studying my level 3 at the age of 33. I would never be in this role if it wasn’t for Astor college 6th form, giving me the opportunity to have studied this course. I would openly and honestly recommend Astor’s 6th form and the opportunities they offer.

 

If you are a Astor Alumni and would like to share your success story please contact stuart.davies@astorschool.com