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.

 

Dan Harrison

I attended Astor College for the Arts (2002-2007), where I completed my studies until Year 11 before transitioning to Thanet College to pursue Catering. During my time at college, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a casual staff member at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. This experience was followed by an underbutler role at the British Embassy in both Washington and Paris, which further fuelled my passion for hospitality and Private Service.

At the age of 18, I began my career in private households, starting as a Private Travelling Butler for a UHNW Swiss family. This role saw me serving royalty and esteemed guests across the globe for over two and a half years, during which I gained invaluable skills and experience.

Afterwards, I shifted to education as an NVQ Assessor in Hospitality, specialising in work-based learning programs across Kent. Following this, I took on the role of General Manager at a family-owned boutique seaside hotel and restaurant in Kent, where I spent over six years honing my leadership and operational skills.

Currently, I am a Senior Recruitment Consultant at Exclusive Household Staff, where I focus on recruiting for permanent Butler and House Manager positions. Additionally, I manage the Temporary Household Staff Desk, providing high-calibre temporary staff for roles such as Housekeepers, Butlers, PAs, Domestic Couples, House Managers, and Gardeners. With a strong emphasis on excellence, I ensure that clients receive highly skilled and experienced professionals for both short-term and long-term needs.

In addition to my recruitment role, I serve as the Company Butler and am one of the Butler Trainers for our sister company, Exclusive Butler School. Through EBS I have the privilege of passing on my knowledge and expertise to aspiring butlers, delivering bespoke training both in the UK and overseas.

 

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.

 

Robbi Mckeown

''I attended Astor Secondary from September 2015 - March 2020. My passions were Music and Drama. I thoroughly enjoyed attending my Music and Drama lessons, and I always got involved with the regular extra-curricular activities alongside them.

From an academic perspective, I recognise that I wasn't always as 'knuckled down' in all of my subjects as perhaps I should have been, and this was reflective in my GCSE results. Whilst my results were not significantly poor, they were not a result of my full potential, had I applied crucial focus in all of my lessons. This was the first time GCSE results were given on the basis of Teacher Assessments due to Covid, but I do believe my results were still a fair and accurate evaluation of my efforts at that given point in time.

In September 2020, aged 16, shortly after the initial COVID-19 outbreak, I was fortunate enough to study for an apprenticeship as a Teaching Assistant, at one of the primary schools within the Samphire Star Education Trust. I gained invaluable knowledge, skills and behaviours during my time at Barton, which amplified my interest in working with children and young people. 

For a brief period of time after the end of my apprenticeship, I went on to work as a Teaching Assistant in a local provision, specifically for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.This opened my eyes up further to the ongoing, wide and diverse challenges, that young people from many different backgrounds face.

It was at this point that I took a particular interest in pastoral work and wanted to really make a difference. Academically, I knew that my strengths in the classroom and on paper didn't particularly stand out, and my passion for Music and Drama was not quite enough for me to want to pursue a career in Teaching. But I felt I had a lot to give, from personal circumstances and previous barriers to learning which I faced many times during my time at Astor and my ability to overcome them. I felt I had the personal and professional characteristics to do well in a pastoral role. 

In April 2022, aged just 17, I was appointed as Behaviour Support Assistant at Sandwich Technology School. I enjoyed this role thoroughly and worked hard to assist the school in developing a centralised system in recording student behaviour data, which effectively identified students' poor behaviour patterns and, therefore, enabled other pastoral staff to intervene quickly to prevent further negative trends.

In January 2024, aged 19, I was promoted from Study Supervisor to Year 10 Manager at Sandwich Technology School. I had responsibility and oversight of the Year 10 cohorts' academic progress and their attendance and welfare, alongside a Head of Year.

Fast forward to now, March 2025, aged 20, with lots of different things popping up in between, I am working as the Assistant Head of Year 11 at a secondary school in the West End of Newcastle, an area of significant deprivation and social challenge, with the vast majority of pupils speaking English as an Additional Language. This role is, by far, the biggest challenge I have faced during my relatively short career; particularly at this point in time, as we navigate Year 11 up to and through their GCSEs.

But I am loving every moment. Shortly, I will be starting my National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC).

 

Anna Ayrton

I’ll be the first to admit I was never the best student. I think my parents were sick of hearing “must try harder” or “she could do so much more if she applied herself” at Parent’s Evenings. I was much more interested in spending all my time in the Performing Arts Department. I was either in or directly involved in every single show during my 7 years at Astor. I was lucky enough to go to France, Belgium and Germany several times with the shows or the Choirs as well as Virginia USA in West Sie Story.

After Astor I followed my obsession to St Mary’s University in Twickenham and studied Drama & Theatre Arts, graduating with a 2:1 from Westminster Cathedral in 2011. While at University I discovered I had a real talent for public speaking, not just in character on stage! I also found I had a knack for writing.

After University I drifted for a while, even supporting Astor’s Theatre Department with the lighting and sound for Cabaret before getting a job in sales. I have bounced from career to career for a while, working in IT, marketing and various sales roles before landing myself in the Prison Service walking the landings for the best part of 5 years. While there I realised I wanted to do more to help others. I met some truly inspirational people in my time (at a Men’s High Security Prison) and after the birth of my second child I found myself back in sales. But for a Social Enterprise now. This way I can put my speaking and writing skills to good use knowing that the money my clients bring in go back into the community and help those that need it.

 

Emily Edwards Little

 

I started at Astor College for secondary school where I developed a passion for English and Art. I didn't know what I wanted to do for a job, but I left Astor College following my GCSEs and completed A-levels at another school. I went on to study Psychology at the University of Winchester and my Master's degree (part time) at the University of Kent in Forensic Psychology whilst working in a pub. Down the line, I went on to work as an Assistant Psychologist for three years for local Children's Mental Health Services and an Eating Disorder service. 

I am currently training to be a Clinical Psychologist which is a three-year professional doctorate (DClinPsy) at the University of Hertfordshire - I spend my time studying and on placement in the NHS delivering therapy. I am proud to be on a training course that acknowledges that mental health does not happen solely inside someone's head but is grounded in the context in which we live. It has helped me think about how racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, poverty, ableism and capitalism (and many other things) has a huge and very real effect on people's lives and mental health. Once I qualify as a Clinical Psychologist, I am hoping to work in the NHS and take steps to dismantle the oppressive practices and systems of power that maintain social injustice. 

I love that every day in my job is different. I also love meeting so many interesting people, having quite a lot of autonomy in what I do and I hope that I am making a difference. I find that my job is flexible enough to allow me to work around creative things I want to do like photography workshops, oil painting, and going on long walks with my dog. 

 

 

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