We are very proud of both our current and past students.  If you attended Pool Academy, no matter how long ago, we would love to hear from you.  Tell us what you have been up to and how your qualifications and school experience has really helped you with your career to date.

Please contact us  – we look forward to hearing from you!

Alumni News

Lucy Talbot

Lucy achieved a First Class Honours Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering at Manchester.  Along the way, she obtained a student Bursary from BP; 2 further Uni Awards and a graduate recognition award from the Salters Company.  Following on, Lucy had worked for ExxonMobil and was responsible for the supply of fuel to British Airways, Tesco and Esso garages. 

She now works for Unilever in R&D designing laundry capsules and leading insights to help make significant steps in plastic reduction.  At Pool Academy Lucy studied triple science and maths and says these subjects were fundamental in helping her understand what she  wanted to do.  Typically engineering was only offered via traditional degree based routes, however there are several degree apprenticeships to open chemical engineering to more people. 

Lucy said she loves being a Process Engineer as she uses data, science and application to large scale to make real significant changes to ensure that future generations can enjoy the planet as much as we have. 

Charlotte Talbot

After achieving an intercalated medical degree in Women’s Health from King’s College London, Charlotte graduated as a Doctor from St George’s University of London.  She achieved a distinction overall for her degree, and along the way achieved several academic awards.  

In August 2022 Charlotte will start on her Academic Foundation 2 year Programme in central Birmingham.  The program, alongside normal rotations, allows her to work alongside academics who are active in medical research. 

 

 

 

 

Michael Wong

When Michael left Pool Academy, he went on to study A-Levels at Camborne Science and International Academy after which he read Civil Engineering at Coventry University earning a BEng (Hons), First Class.   

Michael entered the construction industry in Cornwall becoming a Chartered Construction Manager in a record 3 months.  He built award winning projects all around Cornwall with Classic Builders.  He is now the lead Project Manager for Network Rail’s contribution to Innovation Programme 2: Control, Command and Communication managing research and development projects with a combined value exceeding €183,000,000.

As a Joint Undertaking partially funded by the European Commission, Michael has spent a lot of time working in Europe with programme partners. 

Rob Cook

Rob was a student at Pool School from 1984 – 1989 and says he really enjoyed his years at the school.  Although he admits he did struggle with some subjects, his real passion and focus was on the creative subjects including Art and Music.  Rob said he had a fantastic relationship with the Art Department and they were great in supporting and directing him on his chosen career path.   In Rob's fifth year,  during art lessons, he visited the Falmouth School of Art Tower Block on the Cornwall College Campus and formed a connection with the Graphic Design Department.  The Falmouth lecturers guided Rob on what he needed to work on to apply for the Graphic Design Course.  Mr Jones, Mr Lyons and Mr Gronow who were Art and Design Teachers at Pool then helped him with tailoring his portfolio.

Rob  was accepted onto the Graphics Course in 1989 where he studied for four years on OND and HND levels. During his final year on the HND course he was lucky enough to be offered a work placement in  a top design agency in London.  Rob said it was a true cultural shock but such an exciting adventure.

After several years working for various design agencies Rob has been working for Rolls-Royce aero engines for the last 25 years.  He is the Senior Designer with tasks including creating graphic displays for global exhibition graphics, creating marketing and advertising campaigns for Rolls-Royce activities in India, Australia, North America, Middle East, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, creating social media and digital campaigns and high level presentations which are used to present materials to MPs and senior government officials.   Rob's highlights include designing posters for the RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team and designing exhibition panels which the late Queen and Princess Anne have stood in front of.

Rob said he will never forget the support he received from Pool School and will always say that it’s best to work on what you’re good at and excel at it!!

Delane Hammill

Delane graduated from the University of Exeter in 2019 with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology and was a member and leader of lots of student groups.  Since then and during the pandemic, she has worked at the University on a range of things from helping her former tutors to deliver their teaching online to supporting student volunteering projects!  Delane's highlight in this time has been running a residential over the summer for young carers in the community and being awarded Associate Fellowship for the Higher Education Academy.  She also recently raised around £300 for Mind charity! 

Delane now lives in Devon, enjoys the gym, netball, volunteering and loves contributing towards the student experience in Higher Education. She has also worked with Next Steps South West to talk about what attending University is like from somewhere like Cornwall and how she found her feet. 

Emma Gamble

Since leaving school Emma has done many things, from working in a holiday camp for children in Ireland and then Pontins in Brean Sands.

Emma then had a working holiday visa in Australia, where she worked on a fishing trawler as a deckhand in Western Australia for 2 years and completely fell in love with the country.  Emma decided to stay in Australia, applied for permanent residency and got it.  In 2016 Emma became a Fire Fighter and in that same year joined the Emergency Response Team.  

 

Chris Pooley

Chris is currently the Principal of Nord Anglia International School Manila (Philippines).  Nord Anglia Education is the largest International Schools group with over 76 schools around the world.  

Prior to his appointment as Principal at Nord Anglia International School Manila, Chris served as the Head of Primary from 2014 and has overseen the development of the Primary School.

He has played a lead role in enabling NAIS Manila to be recognised as an award-winning International School and as one of the leading International Schools in the Philippines. Chris is a graduate of the Nord Anglia Education Senior Leaders and Aspiring Principals Programmes. 

Throughout Chris' career he says he has been been fortunate to lead organisations and schools in which the values align closely with my own and has been inspired by positive role models throughout his own schooling.

Paul Massey

When he left Pool School, Paul went to Truro College to do A Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics.  He then went on to study Physics at Oxford University, although didn’t complete his degree.  Whilst at Pool School he did work experience at a local electronics design company, which became a job (on Saturdays and in holidays) through school, college and university, so by the time he was 22 years old, he had 7 years' industrial experience.

Paul founded an award winning software company, Bluefruit, in Pool which now employs 80 people and puts this down to enjoying Maths and Science at Pool School and taking his work experience seriously!  

Catherine Sellings

After completing her GCSEs, Catherine went to Redruth Sixth Form for A levels. 

Catherine says she was lucky enough to be really well supported by her family and their local GP and applied to Medical School next.  She took up a place at King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry in London where she lived for six years before qualifying.  

Once Catherine had completed her initial junior Doctor jobs she became a Speciality Doctor in Emergency Medicine which she did for 21 years.  Catherine said she absolutely loved teaching so  took up a Senior Lecturer post at Exeter Medical School teaching clinical skills alongside her clinical job. This also gave her the opportunity to gain additional teaching qualifications.

More recently Catherine decided to have a bit of a career change and has just started a new post as a palliative care Doctor which she says is a bit different from Emergency Medicine but it’s never too late to try something new!

James Tucker

James went on to study Biomedical Science at Southampton University, achieving 1st class honours.  He then trained to become a primary school teacher and is now a Deputy Head at a school in Dorset and also works across a Trust of 22 schools as the Professional Learning and Improvement Lead. 

Zak Baker

Goalkeeper Zak Baker has signed a new one-year contract with Plymouth Argyle.   

He has extended his stay with the club he supported as a boy in Redruth, and with whom he has progressed with through the centre of excellence and Academy systems.  

After his signing his first professional deal in the summer of 2023, Baker has gained experience with Tiverton Town of the Southern League Premier Division South. A typical week sees Zak continue to train several days at Home Park with the Pilgrims’ first-team squad, as well as linking up with Tiverton.  

“I'm buzzing [to sign a new deal],” said Zak. “I've worked hard this season and to be offered a new contract, I'm over the moon.  

Mark Fuller, from Pool Academy, said: “Having worked as Zak’s football coach at Plymouth Argyle’s Cornwall Centre of Excellence, it’s great to see how he has progressed through the academy.  Zak’s hard work and dedication, over the years, is finally paying off and I wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Jack Richardson

When Jack left Pool Academy he went onto college and then University of Exeter to study Politics.

He is now working as the Climate Programmes Manager with the Conservative Environment Network where he leads on climate and energy policy.  He is also starting a Masters in International Political Economy at Kings College London to study climate diplomacy, trade and energy.

He said: “When I was at Pool Academy my favourite subjects were history and geography. I was rubbish at science and maths but that is how I learned it's ok to struggle at something as long as you keep bashing away at it." 

Before heading off to university Jack carried out some work experience with George Eustice to learn how an MP's office works and how politics worked. After completing his degree, he then carried out more work experience with the MP in the Houses of Commons where he met Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall, who hired him.  Jack later moved on to work at Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan’s office.

Jack said: “I developed an interest in foreign policy at University and spent, overall, about 18 months in parliament.  Then after the 2019 election, and a bit more work experience at a foreign policy think tank, I managed to get a job at CEN where I work now.  We work with over 100 MPs and peers, helping them with environmental campaigns and policy.  I put together briefings for them, write articles for newspapers, organise events, and do general bits and bobs. Our goal is to support the Government to be as environmentally ambitious as possible.”

His advice to current students hoping to follow on a similar career path is to get work experience whenever you can.

Jordan Pidwell

Jordan has been attending Scouts since he was 10 years old and became a young leader with the Beaver Scouts at the 5th Redruth Scout section.  Within six months of turning 18, he became one of the District Youth Commissioners for Truro Scouts.  He has now been chosen to take on the role as County Youth Commissioner.  Jordan, who studied at Pool Academy from 2012 until 2017, said he is looking forward to taking on the role.  He said: “When the County Youth Commissioner position was advertised in November 2020, I knew it was something I would be able to enjoy doing whilst making a difference, so I applied.  I’m excited to be taking on the role to champion Youth Shaped Scouting within Cornwall Scouts, ensuring our young people gain the skills and knowledge they desire, and that their confidence blossoms on their journey through Scouts.”

Jordan plans to ‘innovate, initiate, invigorate’.  He believes it is important for young people to enjoy themselves as well as learn key life skills such as resilience, independence and self-belief.  He said: “The pandemic has forced us all to be innovators, and I don’t believe that should end with the pandemic.  I’d love to be able to initiate new ways of thinking and working in Cornwall Scouts and invigorate others, in Scouts and outside, to do the same."  

Jordan’s favourite subject at Pool Academy was Geography and he is now studying the subject at the University of Exeter.  His advice to current students at Pool Academy is to be bold, be brave, work hard and smile along the way.

Aleks Ignaciuk

Aleks was a former Pool Academy Head Boy and is now studying at Truro College hoping to get a career in Law.  He is studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma course and has taken the time to write to students at Pool to let them know what the transition from school to college is really like.  He said: “The whole transition from secondary to college is a big jump, especially in the environment we’ve found ourselves in. However, it’s certainly something that I have, so far, very much enjoyed.  “I’m now studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Truro College - a course that elicited quite a bit of preparation over the summer.  Whilst this organisation was quite important, I did spend a very large amount of my time in the summer just relaxing and looking back over the pretty good times I’ve had at secondary. I think it’s fair to say that it was a very well earned break.”  He said studying at college is a lot more independent but the expectations are high.  “So far it’s been a brilliant experience and I’ve met many wonderful new people. Looking back on the first day, it does feel weird how quickly I’ve got to know them. I feel much more responsible and overall, pretty satisfied with my learning.  It’s really important to know that secondary and college alike, go by very quickly so it’s very important to make the absolute most that you can of it. Secondary school is a very unique experience and I think it’s a shame we can’t go and see the people we normally see every day. It’s a very alien environment and being at home near constantly definitely does make it hard.  I think it’s important to just keep in touch with everyone. Giving each other a call once in a while and just checking in with each other does really mean a lot to people.”

Robert Bond

A former Pool Academy Deputy Head Boy has received a conditional offer to study Law at the University of Oxford.

Robert Bond said many of the opportunities he had at Pool Academy helped him towards this outcome. This included a Curriculum Enrichment week trip to Truro Crown Court and Bodmin Jail which influenced his interest in becoming a barrister.  He said: “I had never previously had the opportunity to be shown around the courts and speak to people working there.”

Robert is currently studying towards an International Baccalaureate at Truro College.  This qualification means he can take three subjects at a higher level and another three at standard level.  He is studying Biology, History, French, English and Maths as well as Global Politics.  He said: “I have really valued building on what I learnt at Pool Academy on the IB even learning new topics previously unfamiliar to me. Pool Academy also gave me the opportunity to set up a debate club. This is something which really developed my confidence and allowed me to advance some of my critical thinking.  We were able to discuss and debate current affairs, topics of concern, and even topics which we had learnt in our lessons, going beyond the curriculum.”

Robert finished his GCSEs in 2019 and visited the University of Oxford during two of its open days.  Here he heard about an Oxford outreach programme called UNIQ, having applied for and participated in their programme, he had the opportunity to talk with current students, learn about Oxford and how to produce a competitive university application.

He paid special thanks to the teachers who taught him, there are “many teachers who have helped get me to the point where I am today, many of which were very inspiring and are a credit to Pool Academy.  My advice for students who might want to follow in my study path, is if you have an ambition or aspiration you want to work towards, try and go for it even if it seems very difficult. You won't know until you try.  Whilst at Pool Academy I tried to ensure I took as many of the opportunities available to me, something which I believe has helped me work towards my goals as a student.”

Bradley Semmens

Bradley joined the RAF after being inspired during a school careers day in Year 11.  He started his application during the last term of his final year at the school and then carried out basic training at RAF Halton.  He said: “I spoke to the army on careers day and that made me think of a military career.  I then found the path that was right for me.  On September 22nd, I started my basic training.  It is an arduous, stressful but rewarding course designed to make you fit for military service.  Personally, I loved every minute of the gruelling process.  I now have an array of courses lined up in the new year.  Including a paramedics course, which will be my primary role in the RAF.”  Bradley said he is ‘forever grateful’ to Pool Academy staff for helping him get to this point.  He said: “They saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself.  And nothing I have done would have been possible without them helping me to achieve the results I needed.”

 

 

Lauren Strickland

A former Pool Academy student who gained a First in her degree has donated a copy of her dissertation to the school.

Lauren Strickland, who has now completed her BA Human Behavioural Studies, is grateful to the teaching staff at Pool Academy who assisted her.  She interviewed a number of teachers for the dissertation: 'An investigation into teaching staff’s perceptions of factors that influence the effectiveness of learning in a secondary classroom’.

Lauren said: “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interview the staff and I am happy to tell you that I completed the dissertation/BA degree with a First.  Several of the participants asked me to send a copy of the completed dissertation to them.  I feel the school in general gave me the opportunity to succeed."

Lauren Prouse

Lauren was at Pool Academy from 2010 until 2015 and was a Prefect in her final year. Her favourite subjects were Geography and PE which led to her to graduating this summer with a First Class Honours Degree in BSc Geography from the University of Bristol.  She is now starting a Master’s by Research - a year-long project based in the Geography department. 

She says: “I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate degree and I made so many great friends. During my course I got to go to Arolla, a little village in the Swiss Alps with a glacier, for a field trip.  I am on the university swim team and have competed at the British University and Colleges National Swimming Championships which take place in Sheffield - where so many of the national level swimming competitions take place.  When I finish my Masters, I would like to get a job in the Met Office or somewhere similar, where I can continue contributing to research for climate change or helping to tackle it with the company I end up working for.”

Lauren says she remembers the teachers at Pool Academy being ‘very approachable’.

After completing her GCSEs she studied the International Baccalaureate at Truro College. In her second year of college she went to Iceland with the Geography department which was ‘an experience of a lifetime’.

She believes having supportive teachers at Pool Academy was so helpful in her getting to university and says it is important for people to always believe in themselves and their dreams.  “When you put your mind to something, you can definitely do it.  Going to university provided me with so many opportunities I never thought I would have. When they arise, I do my best to say yes every time so I don’t miss out on anything.  University isn’t for everyone and I know lots of people from school who are doing just as well for themselves.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support from your teachers on anything - home or school related - as it is better to talk to someone than to not.”