What Students Say

What did you enjoy about studying at Reigate? 

What subjects did you study at College?

Why did you choose Nursing?

Where did you do your training and what qualifications in Nursing do you have?

Where do you enjoy most about your job?

What tips or advice can you give for any students thinking about a career in Nursing? 

Previous school: Reigate.

When were you at Reigate and what did you study?

I was at Reigate between 2008 and 2010 and did A Levels in Fine Art (A*), History (A) and English Literature & Language (B). I also did an AS in Graphic Design (A).

How did you find your courses at Reigate?

What did you do after you left College?

How did you find studying in Manchester?

Did you do a placement year? 

What are you doing now?

What are the job prospects like for someone with your background?

And you’ve now started your own business on the side?

What are your plans for the future?

Previous school: Warwick.

When were you at Reigate and what did you study?

When you reflect back upon your time at College, do you have good memories?

Previous school: St Andrew’s.

When did you leave the College and what did you study?

What did you go on to do after College?

What are you working now?

Would you recommend doing a sponsored degree programme?

Previous school: Oakwood.

I left College in 2011 and studied Biology, Maths, Geography at A Level and AS Level Chemistry.

I loved the atmosphere. It felt like a step up from school and we were treated much more like adults as we had self-study time and a lot of interesting discussions within our subjects.

I went to study Physiotherapy at the University of Southampton. It’s a thriving university in a busy city. I loved the independence we had and all the amazing clubs and sports activities on offer. The Physiotherapy course had quite a small cohort, so I got to know my fellow students really well.

I’m currently working in Sussex NHS Community Trust as a Musculoskeletal Outpatient Physiotherapist. I work within a team running exercise programmes as well as treating patients in a one-to-one clinic.It’s great to see the same patient for a few months and see the improvements they make over the course of treatment. I also enjoy working with my team, running classes for people to help motivate them in their rehab.

Tasha Jardine

Left Reigate College: 2011

Previous school: St Bede’s.

Previous school: Reigate.

Previous school: Reigate.

I really enjoyed my time at College. The step up from secondary school in responsibility and ownership really suited me as it gave me the flexibility to do more things, including sports as well as learning.

I had a really inspiring Physics teacher, Hovan Catchatoor, who was really passionate about the subject and made lectures really interesting, which inspired me to choose Engineering at university.

When I was applying for university I knew I wanted to study Engineering but I wasn’t sure which Engineering discipline to choose. With support from the College I found out about the Systems Engineering course at Loughborough University, which combined lots of different Engineering disciplines including Aeronautical, Electrical, Mechanical and even Computer Science.

After university I secured a place on a two year graduate training scheme called ‘Nucleargraduates’. The scheme was divided into three eight month work placements with each one at a different organisation within the Nuclear Industry.

My first secondment was at Rolls Royce, who design and make the nuclear reactors that power the Royal Navy Submarine Fleet. I was involved in testing and supporting the key electrical systems which ensure the safe operation of the nuclear reactors.

Following the graduate scheme I was offered the permanent role I’m in now at Rolls Royce Nuclear in Derby, where I’m based in the Electrical Controls and Instrumentation department.

"The role is really exciting as I get to work on the design of the electrical controls systems which will form part of the reactor protection systems for the next generation nuclear reactors."

My office is based in Derby, which is an exciting place to be doing Engineering at the moment. It’s one of the leading cities in the UK for Engineering Design and Manufacturing, with companies like Rolls Royce, Toyota and Bombardier based there. It also has the Peak District on its door-step, so there’s always lots of hiking and bike trails to explore.

Sam Ashfield-Murphy 

Left Reigate College: 2005

Previous school: Reigate.

I’ve got some amazing memories of my time at the College and I made so many friends that I’m still close to. I was part of the Events Team on the Students’ Union in my second year, which involved arranging parties and charity events. This made my time at Reigate very sociable and meant that I met a lot of people that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

The support at Reigate was fantastic and I was taught so many life skills that I still put into practice every day. In my first year of Business, we did a module on interview techniques, which has helped me with all my job interviews since leaving College.

In November 2009, I joined the Virgin Atlantic Contact Centre in a sales role for the Flying Club, Flying Co and Upper Class. After 18 months I was promoted to Sales Support, assisting the Sales Managers with their Corporate and Agency accounts.

I really enjoyed the relationship building side of the job, so decided to pursue a Supplier Relations role in a Corporate Travel Management Company.

Last summer I secured an Executive role in Supplier Relations at BCD Travel, specialising in the Marketing and Communications aspect of the department. This involves arranging the marketing activities for the year for all our preferred suppliers and advising them how they can spend their money most effectively with BCD Travel, which I enjoy as I’ve always been good at spending money! My job is very active and every day is different

I’m not sure what step I’d like to take next in my career but I know it will involve relationship services of some sort. At the moment, I’m comfortable and happy where I am, and still learning every day.

Thank you Reigate College!

Jess Nutley

Left Reigate College: 2009

Previous school: Notre Dame.

Previous school: Reigate.

Previous school: Warwick.

Previous school: Reigate.

Previous school: Warwick.

I was at Reigate between 2002 and 2004.  While I was there, I studied the things I knew I was interested in - Photography, Media Studies and Performing Arts. I also did Art as an extra AS in my second year.  After College I took a year off and then did a year’s Foundation degree in Art at UCA in Epsom.  While at Epsom I specialised in Photography and Moving Images and that paved the way for me doing a degree in TV Production at Bournemouth University.

I've always done as much work experience as I can.  I’ve worked in photographic studios, been a photographic runner at Donna Karan and done a stint in the summer holidays at MTV.  During the summer after uni I worked for the production company Clockwise Media as a camera operator filming music festival promotions including Secret Garden Party, Boomtown Fair and Bestival.  I then got a five month contract as a researcher at Pett Productions (a TV production company founded by Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves and Lisa Clark  in Merstham), which gave me a great insight into the industry. After that I worked part time in the kit room at Aim Image prepping kit for productions worldwide.  

My big break came when I was offered a job at the production company Cruet which provides equipment and crews for broadcast and corporate TV all over the world.  I was there for two years and learnt an enormous amount.  Some of their clients included The Discovery Channel and Sky.  I regularly worked 19 hour days but loved getting to know everyone and enjoyed being in the throng of it.  While I was there, I learnt to be a Camera Assistant working alongside Camera Operators on productions like the Apprentice, Master Chef and the Voice.  

Once I felt I’d learnt as much as I could at Cruet, I knew it was time to move on. I wanted to refine my specialisms and move out of broadcast and in to film. I started managing the kitroom at Filmscape Media which supplies the latest digital technology to a new generation of filmmakers. I had intended to stay with the company until the end of the year but I've recently been offered a clapper loader role on a 5 week feature film funded by the British Film Institute, together with a place on their film professional development and mentoring scheme, so I'm now preparing to go freelance.  These opportunities are too big to turn down.

I know I’ve found my niche. I enjoy what I’m doing so much that, for the most part, it doesn’t feel like work at all. I’ve learnt that nothing worth having comes easy in life but once you’re on the right career path you begin to realise that anything really is possible!

Becky Lee

Left Reigate College: 2004

Previous school: Riddlesdown.

I was at Reigate between 2000 and 2002 and did A Levels in Psychology, Media Studies and English Language & Literature.  

"I had an incredible English teacher John Pitt.  He was so passionate about English that it was impossible not to be totally engaged.  I loved learning about things like syntax and analysing poems. But I guess Media Studies was my favourite subject."

 It was the production side of things that I got most out of – working on radio productions, scripting, recording vox pops.  I enjoyed having an end product.  I loved dissecting films too and trying to work out what different shots meant and how things like use of colour, space and close-ups impacted on the feel of the film.

Immediately after College  I did a bit of session work, playing the bass guitar, as a member of Vinnie Jones’s support band and played on Top of the Pops which was a lot of fun.  We got invited to all sorts of VIP parties.  After that I played with the punk band the Blow Ups for a while.

After a while, I started to feel a bit directionless and went in to College on the last day that UCAS applications were due in and on a whim applied to do Interactive Media Production at Bournemouth University – the Media School for excellence. I wasn’t sure if I was even properly qualified to do it!

The course was brilliant. In a nutshell it looked at different ways of interacting with digital audiences.  We covered everything from HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Flash, got to make 3D computer games built in Cinema 4D and programmed using Adobe Director.  What I liked was that the theory was always mixed in with a practical purpose.  We were given specific briefs to build ‘real life’ websites for local companies, made Flash or 3D games – either working on our own or in groups.  We orchestrated our own photoshoots, wrote our own copy … did everything for real.

I knew I enjoyed front-end coding and illustration best and had my own deviant art page, to show and share the illustrative work I did in my spare time.  It was through that, that someone saw my work and on the back of that, offered me my first job. 

Oval Cube was a small start-up company based in Croydon.  I worked there for 3 ½ years and got to do a lot of design work.  As there were only three people in the company though, I had to do everything from pitching for work, meeting clients, managing budgets and building wire frames.  I learnt a huge amount in a really short space of time.

After Oval Cube, I went to work for the agency Thin Martian based in Old Street. It was a much bigger outfit with around 25 people working there, with lots of prestigious clients like Microsoft, Puma and Dead Mau5.  I was there for two years and then decided to get a visa to work as a snowboard instructor in Whistler in Canada for six months.  I had a great time and travelled around afterwards visiting places like Vancouver.

When I got back to the UK I started my own limited company and have been working as a freelancer ever since.  I worked for agencies for over five years and you can get stale if you stay doing the same thing for too long.  Being a freelancer means getting to meet a lot more new people who bring new challenges and I think that’s how you learn fastest.  

My dream is to start my own company and I’m on track for doing that.  I’ll probably work as a freelancer for another year or so and see what happens.  There’s so much work out there. The digital industry is absolutely booming. Around Old Street and Shoreditch there are lots of start-ups. The Silicon Roundabout is a real word creative playground attracting companies such as Apple and Google to the area looking for fresh new talent!

I’ve been offered several Creative Director roles, but for me, having a full-time position means getting too bogged down.  As a freelancer I have enough time to learn new stuff in my own time.  If you’re not on the ball in my line of work you get left behind. Design is my hobby and for me it’s important to be always learning something new. 

The future is definitely bright.  Mobile devices are already taking over from desktop computers as the main way of connecting to the Internet. Mobile and nailing the true value of apps and social media is where it’s all at.  I feel part of a digital revolution and these are exciting times.

Jacob Lee

Left Reigate College: 2002

Previous school: Riddlesdown.

Previously I went to Reigate school, so Reigate College was the natural choice for my sixth form studies. I looked around a few other sixth forms and Reigate was the one I liked most. It was also great to be back together with friends from my Junior school.

I always knew that I wanted to study science based subjects where not much essay writing was required. I chose Further Mathematics because I knew it would give me a head start when it came to university choices and applications, especially for Maths or Maths-heavy courses. I chose Physics because I was fascinated by the world and popular science books such as Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” and Brian Greene’s “The Elegant Universe”.

"Taking the Extended Project Qualification broadened and enriched my time at College, and I enjoyed studying in-depth a subject of my own choice; I produced and documented an electronics project – an Hi-Fi amplifier. I was really pleased with the result and enjoyed the whole process."

My favourite subject at College was Physics because it deals with the most fundamental aspects of our existence in a rigorous way, while being readily applicable to the outside world and other fields.

The atmosphere at College was welcoming and relaxed: many teachers use first names with students and were happy to offer help and advice outside of lesson time.

I’m currently studying Physics at Sussex University, having achieved two A’s and two A*s in my A Levels. After my degree I’d like to either consider further studies, a career in a financial or Law firm or move into a more applied engineering based field. There are a wide range of opportunities open to Physics graduates.

Nick Ayres

Left Reigate College: 2012

Previous school: Reigate.

Once I’d been to the College Open Evening and Taster Day I knew Reigate College was the place for me.  I opted to study Business, History, IT and Economics. I immediately noticed what a ‘grown up’ environment Reigate College offered. Unfortunately I had to pull out of College after the first 3 months due to some serious family issues.  Staff at the College were extremely supportive throughout this whole period and I was allowed to come back and restart the following year. When I returned I felt ready to work hard and ‘give back’ to the College after the staff had been so good to me during some very difficult times.

"I can honestly say that the College has the best standard of teaching that I’ve ever experienced and I loved all my classes."

In addition to my studies, I also took part in the Young Enterprise and Shares4Schools schemes. Young Enterprise was particularly beneficial and led to me taking part in a competition called Young Start-Up Talent, a team competition in which we finished runner-up. 

Through the competition I was noticed by one of the judges, Matthew Tyson of Richard Place Dobson Chartered Accountants. I went on to do several weeks work experience with his firm, whilst completing my A Levels and was then awarded a full-time apprenticeship contract, which is where I am now!  Young Start-up Talent and the work experience at Richard Place Dobson made me determined to achieve great results and I achieved A*, A and B in my A Levels.

None of this would have been possible without the support and guidance I received by staff at Reigate and it was a pleasure to return to the College recently to talk to students about getting involved in Business.  Hopefully I might have inspired some of them too!

George Fisher

Left Reigate College: 2012

Previous school: Warwick.

I joined Reigate College from the Warwick in 2003 to study A Levels in Maths, PE, and Geography. I chose A Levels based on what I’d enjoyed studying at school and also what I was good at. During my time at Reigate College I thoroughly enjoyed my studies, as lessons were fun and the teachers were very supportive. I especially enjoyed representing the College in football on Wednesday afternoons. Reigate provided me with the support and drive needed to complete my UCAS application.

"With the College’s help I went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance at Bournemouth University, where I graduated with a 2:1."

The third year of my university course was a twelve month industrial placement and I chose to work as a finance analyst in a multi-national company based in London. I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone as it gave me an insight into my future career. The personal and practical skills I learned from my year out were invaluable and formed the fundamental basis of my CV upon graduating. After a stint travelling I started my first job in an insurance company as an accounts administrator. During my first year I worked extremely hard and was quickly promoted to Assistant Accountant. This also meant that the company offered to pay for, and support, my progress towards the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification. I have very fond memories of my time at Reigate College; it was the perfect environment in which to prepare for independent study at university and life beyond College.

Jonathan Lowe

Left Reigate College: 2010

Previous school: Warwick.

I was a student at Reigate College between 2000 and 2002, having previously been at Reigate School. I did four A Levels: Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Maths and then went on to do a Dentistry degree at Newcastle University. The excellent teaching and support I received from the College helped me get through the application process and achieve the grades I needed to get onto a good Dentistry course. Dentistry is really competitive and there are always far more people who apply than there are places, so being well prepared is incredibly important.

"For me, College acted as a useful bridge between structured learning at school and the more independent style of learning required at university."

My advice to any 16 year old starting at Reigate is to make the most of the opportunities offered by the College and tap into the help and support offered by the staff. Everything is set up for you to reach your potential. I’m sure doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, plus a variety of other extra activities helped my university application stand out. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award is still highly regarded by universities and employers as it demonstrates that you can achieve something challenging that isn’t just about passing an exam. I helped with a Beaver Scout group (6 - 8 year old boys) for two years while I was at College and had a Saturday job at a local chemist, which brought me into contact with a whole variety of people. I also worked as a dental nurse at my local dentist during his Saturday morning surgeries, so I knew exactly what I was letting myself in for when I decided to become a dentist!

Victoria Pelham

Left Reigate College: 2002

Previous school: Reigate.

I joined Reigate College from Reigate School in 1997 and studied A Levels in PE, Biology, Maths and General Studies. When I left College I went on to study Physical Education at Leeds Metropolitan University. I came back to the College in 2002 to do some work experience in the PE department. It was definitely strange seeing things from the other side of the fence! I stayed on to do my teacher training at uni and have now been teaching for 6 years. How time flies! I’m currently working at a Sports College in Kent and am head of Key Stage 4 PE, which I love. I also coach football youth teams across Kent, which I find really rewarding.

"I have many great memories of Reigate College including winning the Football league, an entertaining Biology field trip and Mr Dreux’s ‘dramatic’ maths lessons!"

I made some fantastic friends during my time at the College and many of the teachers have made a huge impact on my life. The College not only helped my academic studies, but helped me develop some key life-skills through the fantastic pastoral system that’s in place.

James Hopper

Left Reigate College: 1998

Previous school: Reigate.

I joined Reigate College from Oakwood School in Horley in the autumn of 1998 and studied three A Levels in Business Studies, Computing and Maths. When I left the College I went on to do a BSc in Internet Computing, then took 6 months off to do some travelling, before coming back and starting a career in web development.

"I now run the internet consultancy Big Orange Software and have been involved in a variety of projects with the College."

During my time at Reigate, I particularly enjoyed Business Studies and Computing, both of which taught me a great deal of useful things, even if I didn’t realise it at the time! For me, being able to apply what I was learning to the real world was important. James Bentley, a Business Studies teacher, always made the lessons interesting, which probably explains why I remember and use so much from his classes today. One of my most memorable College trips was a field trip to Barcelona where we spent half a day at the Nou Camp. All was fine until we came to leave and realised we’d been locked in!

Paul Jarrett

Left Reigate College: 1999

Previous school: Oakwood.

I was at Reigate College between 1994 and 1996 and started off studying 4 A Levels in Physical Education, Geography, Business & Information Studies and Biology. I dropped Biology after the first year and went on to get an ‘A’ in Physical Education, ‘C’ in Geography and ‘C’ in Business and IS. It goes without saying that my favourite subject was Physical Education! When I left College, I decided to defer my place at university and took up a position as a personal trainer and fitness instructor. It was at 18 (in 1996) that I joined Arsenal Ladies and was first selected to play for England. Fortunately, it all took off from there.

"Reigate College provided me with my first opportunity, throughout my schooling years, to play and compete in organised football matches."

It was also the place where I discovered what I was good at! Paul Walker was both my PE teacher and Football team coach and it was his enthusiasm and support that spurred me on to improve my game and achieve an ‘A’ Grade in PE. I’ve been fortunate to have had many great career highlights and have won many honours – twenty-five to date – including the Womens’ Champions League in 2007. My greatest achievements however, are to have played and captained the England Ladies’ team at the 2007 World Cup and to have played in the European Championship Final in 2009. I’ve been lucky to have also had the opportunity to work as a commentator and have done TV pundit work for Eurosport, Sky, Setanta Sports and the BBC.

Faye White

Left Reigate College: 1996

Previous school: Oakwood.