It's unbelievable to think that February half term marks the half-way point through the academic year. Our current Year 13s are already starting to look ahead and think about life after Shiplake and the next stage of their journey. All our leavers are encouraged to keep in touch with the school via the Old Viking Society and we love nothing more than to hear what our former pupils have been up to and where their career paths have taken them. Five years on from leaving Shiplake, we asked the Class of 2016 to share what they are doing now...
| Class of 2016 | |
| Matthew Aldridge After my five unforgettable years at Shiplake College, I decided to go to Birmingham City University where I studied Criminology for three years. In between my studies I joined the rowing club where I gained some of my best memories at uni. I also enjoyed the luxury of travelling to places such as America, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Denmark which inspired me to travel more in the near future. After achieving a first class degree at university in 2019 I fulfilled my desire to join the police where I find myself now. I’m currently working at Henley police station as a PCSO gaining all the necessary skills I need to progress my career to work at Police officer. Eventually I would like to specialise in something such as a dog handler or possibly CID. | .jpg) |
| Dom Allen In September 2016 I headed to Queen’s University Belfast to study Geography. During my time in Belfast, I got involved in the university’s clubs and societies and the City’s culture; playing rugby for Queens, part of the university’s Environmental Leadership Program, selected to be the senior student of the Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron and was elected president of the squadron’s society in my final year. After graduating I worked at House of Fraser for 4 months to find my feet before joining my current role. I work in a division of a life sciences events company in London that offers bespoke solutions and consultation to the pharmaceutical industry across America and Europe, working with multiple companies to develop their inter-business relationships |  |
| Jemima Brimacombe I left Shiplake with the intention of studying marine biology in order to save the Great Barrier Reef or the turtles in the Maldives. However, I quickly realised that I would be studying algae in mucky ponds and estuaries, something I was considerably less keen on. In my first week at Aberystwyth University I therefore quickly changed to study Genetics and Biochemistry, taking an elected placement year between my second and third year. During my year in industry I worked as a laboratory technician and analytical scientist at Enesi Pharma Ltd., a specialised drug development company focussed on manufacturing needle-less vaccines. I also took up open water swimming, completing a number of swims in the Lake District on Windermere and Coniston (better known as The Chill Swim!), and closer to home, including the Henley Classic and Thames marathon. I returned to Aberystwyth to finish my degree and left with a First Class degree. I am now currently studying for a Master’s in Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. I am loving the course although obviously the year hasn’t turned out as expected- and I am still waiting for my first official formal dinner in college (Lincoln)! I hope to be accepted for a PhD next year pursuing a project in the areas of drug discovery and cancer research.' |  |
| Will Carey After leaving Shiplake, I went straight to university in London studying Business and Marketing. For the next few years the majority of my life was spent rowing at the University of London Boat Club at a high level whilst managing a degree on the side followed by a brief stint working for Rapha until, as like many, COVID ended both my rowing and working life. I am now working part-time coaching back at Shiplake College. |  |
| Greg Cooke I made the switch over to Rugby League at University (I fully believe it’s the superior version now!) and was made captain in my final year. I was supposed to spend a year teaching English in Beijing which has been replaced with a real job working in Data Science and I’ve got my fingers crossed for a full time offer from the Bank of England soon. | |
| Connor Cummings After leaving Shiplake in 2016, I worked for a property company for a year learning about surveying. It was a great experience particularly with the ‘buzz’ of London life. On the side of this, I gained my level 1 and 2 tennis coaching qualifications and I worked as a tennis coach for six months. Here I taught a variety of age groups about tennis technique, match play and tactics. I was asked if I wanted to continue my property experience, this time working for the family firm. I have been working here ever since and I’m in charge of our marketing whilst helping commercial tenants in London. We help tenants find new premises or re-negotiate on their current lease. I really miss Shiplake and hope to visit again soon! |  |
Anna Davies |  |
| Dan Deakin Five years on from Shiplake I did not expect to be where I am now. 18 year old me was clueless on what he wanted to pursue but in the September after we left in 2016, I became an apprentice as a sport coaching/physical educator and a part time lifeguard. I spent 3 years there and worked my way up to a full time primary school sports coach/PE teacher. Towards the end of the 3rd year, I wanted to see where I could go within this area in sport and I am now currently in my 2nd year at Cardiff Met University studying PE and sports coaching and playing for the mens hockey 1s. I will finish my years in Cardiff and see what opportunities come up in the near future. |  |
| Emily Dewell I left Shiplake five years ago, and in that time I have been at Plymouth University, studying my bachelors degree in Events Management. I also completed a year in industry as part of my degree, working as a Schools Liaison and Events Intern. I am now in my final year of my degree, where I work part-time for the University Careers Service as a Student Engagement Assistant. After I graduate this year, I am planning to move home to Oxford where I hope to secure a graduate job in marketing or events. |  |
| Phoebe Eggar After leaving Shiplake in 2016 I went on to gain a merit in a Foundation of Art specialising in 'product design and ceramics' at Central St Martin's in London. I then went on to pursue my dream of travelling and set off to Asia! In my first two months I met with five Shiplake friends (Atko, Emma, Jonny, Rory, Yeem) having a real home away from home on the other side of the world! I continued travelling for three years all around South East Asia working and living in Laos, and spent a year in Australia in the middle, where I worked as a concreter for six months and drove up the east coast, camping in a 4x4. I came home last April for my mum's birthday and have been locked down in the UK since. I have been working with a handyman saving money for the next adventure. | |
Fred Ellis
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| James Fenton James left university with a first class honours degree. He is still into football and is currently working at Microsoft as part of their sales team. | |
| Matt Fenton Matt graduated from York with a 2.1 in Economics and a few collegiate rugby titles and is now working at RSM in Corporate Finance doing his ACA exams which is definitely keeping him occupied. | |
Oli Gerrard |  |
| George Greenaway After leaving Shiplake, I studied Information Management and Business at Loughborough University. As part of the degree, I spent a year working at SAP in the UKI Platform and Technologies Sales team. Upon Graduating with a 2.1, I joined Celonis, a solution extension partner of SAP, and with the role have relocated to Madrid, Spain. I plan to be based in Madrid for the next 3-4 years. I hope everyone is enjoying life after school, and if you are ever passing through Madrid let me know and we can catch up over a Cerveza and some Tapas! |  |
| Carl Harris In July 2016, I matriculated as an undergraduate at Oxford Brookes University to read Architecture. Throughout my three years, I learnt about the schematic design of buildings; engaging in various modules geared towards practical design, urban theory and the environment. A highlight of my course was my final third-year project where I designed a tile studio for a site in Marvila, Portugal. While living in Oxford, I enrolled in Brookes Radio to pursue an interest in presenting. In 2018, I was elected Station Manager and assisted fellow students looking to navigate their way into the radio industry. Today, I work as an Architectural Assistant in Reading. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year in practice where I have worked on a number of residential schemes, including a care home to residential conversion. I am looking forward to what the future brings. |  |
| Jonny Meadows Jonny captained the 2s Hockey before graduating from Sussex. His gap-year plan has been halted but his eventual plan is to go into teaching. | |
| Toby Orchard Toby captained the Salford University RFC team in his second year during a pretty successful season. Now he’s graduated and moved up to Manchester working cybersecurity. | |
| Scott Parker Having left Shiplake five years ago, with a well-nurtured sense of determination, I took a year out to gain an additional A Level that I needed to get into university. I found myself a full-time job in a bar and went to night school to study Sociology. After successfully getting the grade I needed, I secured my place at the University of Southampton. After three more years of hard work, I have a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. As we all know COVID-19 is making everything more difficult, and so the job search has been long and tedious. Not wanting to waste the abundance of free time that was available to me, I have spent the months after leaving university in June, working towards achieving my Level 3 Personal Training qualification. Starting late February, I have secured a role within the Civil Service, working as the Executive Assistant for a Deputy Director in DEFRA. This will be in the policy team responsible for the Government’s 25-year plan for the Environment. As time moves on, I will be focusing on utilising the great career progression that working for the Government provides, hoping to transition to work within the Diplomatic Service eventually! | |
| Tom Riches Tom spent his first year studying at Portsmouth and then moved to Beijing for his second year of study. He then had a placement in Southampton before graduating this summer. He’s working in sales for a GIS company based near Oxford called Rezatec. | |
| Oli Riley After leaving Shiplake, I spent 11 months working in a Westminster based think tank, analysing economic policy proposals, before going up to Cambridge in October 2017. There I studied Human, Social and Political Sciences. In true Shiplake style, at university, I immersed myself in many extra curricular activities. In my second year, I was elected Chairman of the university’s Conservative Association, and in my final year, as men’s second team captain and social secretary of the Athletics Club. I now find myself taking a year out from academia, teaching at a small private school in the Swiss alps, saving money for a masters degree in the next year or so. | |
Charlie Sichel |  |
| Jack Tooley Since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University in Sport Business I decided to take a turn of career path choice and follow IT sales. This is what I had done all my work experience in building up to university. Since graduating I have been at Citrix Systems for a year and a half working in a sales role and throughout that time I’ve be really trying to fulfil my potential in the industry as well as learn as much as I can. In the near future I hope to be moving into an account manager role where I can continue to drive my career forward. I hope everyone at Shiplake is well and when we return to normality I hope to pop my head in and catch up with everyone. |  |
| Bethan Tinker Since my time at Shiplake, I spent four fantastic years studying Marketing BSc at Newcastle University and graduated last summer with 1st class honours. During my four years up north, I met the best friends and was a member of the university netball team. A huge university highlight was competing in and winning a charity boxing match during my final year, raising over £1,000 for Cancer Research. During my summers between studying, I worked as a counsellor at an American summer camp, inter-railed through Europe and travelled around Asia. |  |
| Andrew Turnill After leaving Shiplake I went to Northumbria University, Newcastle, where I studied sports and exercise science. During my time there I joined the boat club, where in my second year I was made men’s captain before becoming the head coach of the university programme. I have now moved to Canford School and for the past two years I have been coaching rowing as well as other sports. I am applying for the police force and looking to join in the next year or so. |  |
| Lucy Walker After leaving Shiplake I went to study at Oxford Brookes University for three years. I continued to row until the end of my second year, and took on swimming and water polo. Throughout the years, I had familiar Shiplake faces around me. After island hopping in Greece last summer, I’m now part of the patient support team at one of The Fertility Partnership clinics supporting those who need a little help to make families, which is a rewarding environment to be in. I hope everyone is well and look forward to meeting up in the near future.' |  |
| Cam Whitelaw Cam has now graduated from Bournemouth and has been working as the Director's Associate to Film & Television Director, Hamish Hamilton working between London and LA. He’s worked with Mariah Carey and The Rock. You can find his work here. | |
If you are an Old Viking from the class of 2016 or any year, we'd love to hear what you have been up to. Please email [email protected] with your news.
