Beauchamp College

With a background in exercise physiology, James now supports top-tier ultra runners through his role at Precision Fuel & Hydration, a growing sports nutrition company.

Reflecting on his time at Beauchamp College, James highlights the impact that PE staff had on his development. "The PE staff were awesome and helped keep me on my progression path even from school age. I was always keen to learn more, and they helped support this," he recalls. These experiences sparked James’ passion for sports and exercise, laying the groundwork for his career.

After leaving Beauchamp, James pursued a Master’s in Exercise Physiology, and alongside his studies, he took on internships and voluntary roles in the sports industry, working hard to build experience. This journey included managing a leisure centre before joining Precision Fuel & Hydration, where he now has the unique opportunity to support world-class athletes at major events across the United States.

James’ role is varied, from assisting everyday athletes to preparing elite competitors for the physical demands of ultra-endurance events. His ultimate goal? To become the UK’s leading expert in ultra-endurance physiology. Outside of work, James’s achievements extend to personal goals, including running over 100 miles in under 23 hours—another example of his resilience and drive.

Edmund Stenson's love for cinema began at Beauchamp College, where he joined as a 16-year-old with a clear goal: to study film.

Now an accomplished film director, Edmund reflects on how his time at Beauchamp inspired his creative path, culminating in the release of his feature documentary Blink, which is showing at Phoenix Cinema from 9th –12th December. Alongside this achievement, Edmund also served as associate editor on Navalny, the Oscar and BAFTA-winning documentary, cementing his place as a rising star in the film industry.

Edmund credits his time at Beauchamp for inspiring his passion for both film and literature. "The reason I moved schools to Beauchamp was so that I could study film. Taking that course shaped my love of cinema—along with almost weekly trips to the Phoenix Cinema and annual visits to the London Film Festival," he recalls. The Literature course, too, left a lasting impact, introducing him to new authors and sparking engaging class discussions.

A particularly influential figure during his time at Beauchamp was his English Literature teacher, Mr. Whitman. "He became something of a mentor," Edmund shares. "We exchanged ideas, and traded film and book recommendations, which deepened my appreciation for storytelling and its many forms."

After Beauchamp, Edmund’s passion for storytelling led him to Warwick University, where he earned a degree in Film & Literature, followed by an exchange program in Tokyo and a master’s in Film Studies at Concordia University. His career has since spanned roles as an editor, director, and collaborator, with highlights including Blink, a documentary funded by National Geographic and distributed by Disney, which played in over 250 theatres across North America and even in Leicester.

Reflecting on his career journey, Edmund recalls a defining moment: "Standing on stage at the London Film Festival, the very festival I attended as a young cinephile with my father, and introducing my film to friends and family—it was a dream come true."

Emma Yarlett's journey from Beauchamp College to becoming an acclaimed children's book illustrator and author showcases creativity and determination.

During her time at Beauchamp College, Emma's passion for creative subjects flourished. She particularly enjoyed her Graphic Design and Art projects, including creating her own magazine and branding, and painting the front of Leicester train station.

Post-Beauchamp, Emma pursued an art and design foundation degree. Immersed in ceramics, photography, and more, she discovered her passion for children's book illustration. Accepted at Falmouth University in Cornwall, Emma took steps into the industry through internships and work experience with illustration agencies and children's book publishers.

Her final year at university was a turning point. Emma entered the Macmillan Book Prize and attended the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy, where she pitched her book ideas to publishers. Highly commended in the prize, she received multiple publishing offers and chose to work with Templar, marking the start of her career as a debut author and illustrator.

Emma's career has seen its share of challenges, particularly in managing the demands of being a self-employed freelancer. Despite these hurdles, she has achieved significant triumphs. Early in her career, DreamWorks optioned her second picture book, "Orion and the Dark," which was eventually made into a film and streamed on Netflix. Another milestone is her book series "Nibbles" achieving 2.5 million sales, a collaboration with the same publisher she interned with at 19.