“I joined Cardinal Pole in Year 10 so it was scary being a new student so late into my secondary school journey. Regardless, I can’t thank my teachers and friends for being so welcoming and supportive! As Head Girl, I’m now a role model for younger students which has given me a newfound confidence in my leadership skills. It’s an honour to be able to give back to the school and be a reassurance for students who may feel how I felt when I joined!”

“The transition from GCSE to A-Levels was the most challenging for me. It’s known for being such a big learning curve and I was worried I wouldn’t do as well as I wanted to. Luckily, I developed close bonds with my teachers, who make sure I’m always on track and I am constantly building my knowledge and exam technique. They’ve allowed me to feel confident in my own abilities!”

“The job market these days is so saturated and our future careers can be a worry for students my age as it can feel like it’ll be impossible to progress and stand out. But at Cardinal Pole our Sixth Form Team and careers advisor gives us endless opportunities to apply our strengths and interests through taster sessions and work experience with a range of companies. We also get lots of support and advice when it comes to applying for universities or apprenticeships. It’s essential to have lots of options available to you and Cardinal Pole has easily given me that reassurance!”