Whilst in the Sixth Form I completed my DofE Gold which was another rewarding experience and although I am sure that everyone in my group wished I walked faster I found it to be both challenging and really fun. I had previously completed DofE Bronze in year 10 and although the Gold was harder due to it being 4 days instead of 2 I actually found it to be more enjoyable. For our presentation after the expedition we had created a video diary and looking back at it reminds me of the fun we had, such as singing or playing a game whilst we were walking so that we did not think about how much our feet were hurting. Although I did a lot of things throughout my years at Sele I think that I would have to say the 2 years of Sixth Form were my favourite. Whilst studying A-Levels I got to do a whole range of extra-curriculars including DofE Gold and going skiing in Italy. If I had told my year 7 self everything that I would be doing whilst at Sele I would not have believed myself. Gemma sent us an update in February 2023 and says: After leaving Sele in 2019 I went on to study for a BSc in Accountancy at the University of Nottingham.

I have just completed my first year at Southampton University reading Mathematics with Actuarial Sciences. My first year has covered a variety of subjects including Linear Algebra, Micro and Macro-Economics and Operational Research; however, my favourite module so far is Multivariable Calculus. Along with my studies, I have enjoyed the university social life, joining the Boxing Society and Clay Pigeon Shooting Society. The Sele School, and, in particular, Miss ‘Kam’, sparked my passion for maths. The whole teaching team supported me as I worked towards achieving the A level results required to qualify for my chosen course and university. I am very much looking forward to getting back to university in September to continue my course and consider my future career path.

I left The Sele School after completing my A-Levels in 2018 and went on to enjoy an amazing summer before starting my apprenticeship in Chartered Surveying. The final year of school had, for me, been spent painstakingly applying for countless apprenticeships for which many of my applications were rejected. It had all felt worth it, though, when I finally succeeded. My future was planned out. Everything felt secure. I was so excited to join the working world and earn real money. I am now midway through my second semester studying Economics at the University of Liverpool. I have loved every moment, but I do not regret the path that I took to get here. Taking that relatively stress-free year to make ridiculously overpriced coffee let me reset and begin to understand what I want to do in life. Most likely that won’t involve making coffee, but it was a well-needed year.