When I was at West Kirby, at first I didn't make it easy on myself. Having been in and out of mainstream settings, I did not trust the support and nurture that West Kirby provided. I did start to trust and believe in myself to achieve and succeed. When I left West Kirby, went to Warrington and Vale College and studied an Arts Diploma and then went on to study an Arts foundation course. I secured a place at university and graduated with a 2:1 with a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree in Game Art. I am currently working on work for an art exhibition which should be displayed later this year. My career journey whilst studying has been in the hospitality sector. I am thinking about becoming a teaching assistant in the future. I would particularly like to work with children with special needs. Before attending West Kirby,I never thought I would have dreamed of graduating from university. West Kirby provided me with skills, support and inner confidence to achieve!

West Kirby School helped shape who I am today. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when I was 8 years old after struggling in mainstream primary education. I was a highly anxious child and I was quite shy at that age too. West Kirby School gave me the nurture and encouragement I needed and I am so, so proud that I was once a student at the school.

I first started woodworking in 2017 after I was introduced to the lathe at school by my DT teacher. He really encouraged me in woodturning and woodworking. Soon after that I got my own small lathe at home. I started to get some more equipment for my own home workshop. I had began making turned wooden bowls and chopping boards and them at a couple of craft markets in West Kirby and the school fair, supported by staff at WKS. Whilst I was still attending WKS I entered and won the ‘Young’ category of ‘British Woodturner of the Year’ from the Guild of Master Craftsman. I then went on to exhibit at the Young Artist’s Summer Shows at the Royal Academy in London twice. I was also runner-up in the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain’s under 21yrs competition. I was awarded a Bursary from the Worshipful Company of Turners and have been a part of their Emerging Turner’s programme for the last three years. I have worked for the last two years for a tools and machinery company which has allowed me to attend woodworking public and trade shows around the country as well as teaching and demonstrating woodturning. I have recently left the company to become freelance.