English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy

My name is Faith Adams, and I was a student at EMS from 2017-2022. During my time at school, I could be spotted most hanging around in the Music and Drama department, surrounding myself with the incredible facilities and taking part in all sorts of performances! I would say that she school shaped me as a person, and always nurtured my ambitions of performing in more ways than one. The highlight of my time at EMS was performing Hairspray Jr, where I had the privilege of playing Tracy Turnblad, alongside my closest school friends, as well as taking part in various other events such as concerts, pantomimes, plays, dances, and even an opera! My love for performing was encouraged by the amazing staff, and I now live in London independently, studying at one of the UK’s top Drama Schools, ArtsEd, hoping to kick- start my career as a professional Actor!

I studied at EMS from 2017-2024, completing A-Levels in Music, History, and Politics. I’m currently studying Music at the University of Manchester. One of the things I will always remember about the school was the welcoming community, especially in the music department where I spent most of my time. Going to Italy in Year 9 was a real highlight for me that I won’t forget.

I started my time at English Martyrs’ School in 2008 joining 7 Clitheroe and continued until 2016 after completing my A Levels at the schools sixth form. During my time at the school, I was fortunate enough to travel on three overseas trips made available to students; to Paris, Berlin and New York, experiencing a variety of language, history and culture. I was also given the opportunity to complete the Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at English Martyrs’, putting into practice skills that I still use today. Thank you to all involved with the organising and running of these great experiences, that still come up in conversation, from time to time, all these years later. After finishing my A Levels, I went into to further education, achieving a First Class Honours Degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Human Factors in Aviation. I am now working towards a PhD at Loughborough University in the field of Human Factors, combining my knowledge in both physics and psychology, two of the subjects I selected for my A Levels. Aside from academia, I am also the current chairman of a registered youth charity, the Leicester Navy Cadets. During my short time in this position, I have successfully raised tens of thousands of pounds through grants, for training equipment, residential trips, but the most notable being the procurement of an accessible powerboat, allowing individuals of all abilities access to the water. I truly owe my thanks and gratitude to English Martyrs’ and its teachers for laying the foundations for me to be in the position I am today in both my education and charity roles.