Alumni

Name: Sky Robinson
Left the Academy: 2016
About me:

I left TSLA in 2016 and went to college at North Lindsey to study childcare for 3 years. While at college it was hard to decide whether or not to take my education further. However, this was the best thing I ever did, I attended university at Bishop Grosseteste studying primary education to get my qualification to teach in a primary school for another 3 years. Although it felt great to finish my journey in education, finding a job became very difficult and it almost made me lose faith in my career path. Interview after interview began to knock my confidence but I eventually found my place, I began as a maternity temp in a year 2 classroom which after lots of hard work became a permanent job!

When you’re in secondary school you don’t think much of what the future will bring and what you need to do to get there. Teenage me would never believe I was writing this message to my old school but as you grow, develop and change in so many different ways you realise how important school was. You realise that after those short years have passed, you miss it more and more and wonder what you could have done to support your education further if you was ever to go back. School supported me no matter my mood, what my current problem was when I thought the world was falling at my feet, encouraged me in every way possible to fight for what I want and here I am today, teaching my own class, supporting younger children to become who they want to be in the future.

My advice to you is don’t take these years for granted. Find your feet, discover who you are and who you want to be, strive for success and the life you want to live and for your future kids to aspire to live too. It may seem like miles away but these years go so quickly! I still can’t believe I’m actually an adult now, it’s crazy. Nothing is set in stone, you can do so many different things through 1 course, the options are endless so don’t stop now. Keep going because it will all be worth it.

Name: Natasha Pell
Left the Academy: 2013
About me:

After leaving St Lawrence Academy I was awarded a scholarship at Gordonstoun School, where I studied Maths, English Language and P.E. at A-Level. I gained a degree in English Language, and worked as a teaching assistant in a special needs school and as a care assistant in a care home for adults with disabilities.
Using these experiences I then went back to study and I am now a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, working at a hospital helping patients who have communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, Parkinson’s, MND, and MS.

School gave me so many opportunities to explore my interests and build my confidence. The teachers would always provide support and help when I needed it or when I asked. School helped to prepare me for the future by providing leadership and teamwork opportunities, and these skills are so important in any work setting.

Don’t do something just because it’s what other people expect from you, instead find something you enjoy or have a real interest in (even outside of lessons). Do you enjoy helping people? Do you enjoy an individual challenge or leading a team? Are you creative? Do you have skills in organising a project? Do you have a hobby or interest outside of school?
If you are looking for further advice or are interested in finding out more about a career in Speech and Language Therapy, health care or hospital settings you can find me on twitter @NatashaP_SLT

Name: Victoria C
Left the Academy: 2022
About me:

Victoria joined the academy back in 2017 and her time here has definitely been an experience. Victoria has grown so much both as a person and academically and she is so proud of the constant progress she has been able to make over the years due to the tremendous amount of opportunities at The St. Lawrence Academy. The academy even introduced Victoria to a boarding school located in Scotland, Gordonstoun, which she would have never seen herself applying for before. During the application process, Victoria was excited, obviously sceptical but felt encouraged to carry on and try her best by the incredibly supportive staff. It felt surreal that someone like Victoria, who has come from a small village in Poland would be able to attend such a prestigious school that has even been attended by British Royalty! It is truly difficult to sum up her amazing experience here at the academy because there is simply too much to say. Victoria has had so many opportunities to grow and has ended her time here as a Head Prefect and Dux Scholar, which are just two of the achievements she is extremely proud of considering how much of a shy girl she started off as back in Year 7. The St. Lawrence Academy has helped Victoria so much and definitely opened up so many doors that once, she would never have dreamed of.

Name: Adie
Left the Academy: 2022
About me:

Throughout the final year at the academy, Adie went through some of the highs and lows of his life, and yet it was still a special one that he won’t forget. Although it was just a year of exams for some, Adie saw it as a year that prepared him for a new chapter in life, where he would take up more responsibility and become more individual in the things he did. Adie’s plan for the future is to use the skills he has gained whilst attending St Lawrence and live the best and happiest life he can, whatever he experiences on the way. One of Adie’s plans is to hopefully change and improve the lives of many people, locally and maybe even internationally. To give him the chance I need to do this, he has taken up a scholarship at Scunthorpe United FC Trust and Education which could help him get a good-paid job so he can fund it to charities across the country and further. Adie’s dream job that he can get from the course that he is doing is becoming a professional football player and he plans to work hard for it or whatever route he goes down next.

Name: April McNamara
Left the Academy: 2008
Location: Scunthorpe
About me:
It has been 8 years since I left school and it hasn’t been a breeze, however I have done well for myself. I have a degree in Animal Nursing and I have an NVQ Level 2 in Hair Dressing.  When I left college, I started working as a Factory Packer, then I worked my way up and became a Care Assistant.  From there things got better and I landed myself a job at British Telecom as a Detentions Advisor.  I am now an Installations Coordinator for Wren Kitchens and hopefully soon I will become a manager. So never get down about life because it is only you who can change it.

Name: Jake Smith
Left the Academy: 2010
Location: Scunthorpe
About me:
After leaving the academy I studied a BTEC extended diploma in Sport course for 2 years at John Leggott College. After that I then spent 2 years at Leeds Metropolitan University studying a Sport Coaching course. When I finished university I was lucky enough to be scouted to play A-Grade cricket and coach in Perth, Australia for 6 months. This was an amazing opportunity for me and I feel that I have learnt an awful lot from it. Since my return from Australia I have got myself a job as a PE and Sport teacher at Bottesford Junior school in Scunthorpe.

Name: Amy Hardy
Left the Academy: 2011
Location: Northumbria University, Newcastle
About me:
I’m currently in my second year, training to be a paediatric nurse at Northumbria University in Newcastle, it’s a very rewarding career and I have loved every minute so far. I have been on placement in a variety of settings such as a respiratory ward at the Great North Children’s Hospital, Outpatients department and I am with the school health team at the moment. All throughout there have been many situations which are challenging and emotional but it’s definitely worth it to see the smiles that come from the children and their family & knowing I have been a part of their care.

Name: Chloe Drury
Left the Academy: 2012
Location: Birmingham
About me:
Since leaving the Academy in 2012, I gained an academic scholarship that allowed me to attend Gordonstoun School in Scotland for sixth form and take my A-levels there. After completing my A-levels and leaving Gordonstoun I am now at university, studying for a BSc Mathematics degree at the University of Birmingham

Name: Charlie Henderson
Left the Academy: 2014
Location: Leeds
About me:
Since leaving the academy I moved to Leeds to attend the Ofsted Outstanding Notre Dame Sixth Form College where I study 4 A levels (History, PE, English and Psychology).  I am also a part of their successful football academy which recently became West Yorkshire Under 19’s champions. It was a big step up from school and moving to a huge city, but it has been thoroughly enjoyable and there are some great people here. After college I hope to go out to America on a sports scholarship programme – we’ll see.