Home » Featured Alumni Featured Alumni Our #alnsalumni – Lauren Golledge22nd March 2019I left ALNS in 2004, went to South Downs College, Chichester College and then Colchester Institute to continue studying drama and musical theatre, which was always my favourite subject at school. I graduated university in 2010 and moved back to Portsmouth, unsure of what to do as I didn’t feel that I had the skill set to be the actor that I had previously wanted to be. At the time I had a part time waitressing job, and was offered training to be a shift manager and thought- if it’s free training, it’s got to be worth it for the CV. Four years later I was a restaurant manager and involved with volunteering for a youth group in my spare time. I wanted a job where I had more personal satisfaction and applied for a job as a youth worker, stating my transferable skills from managing and developing a team, and mentoring and running group activities to meet the job description. I was blessed to be offered the position and after four years of taking every opportunity to challenge myself and gain experience, I was promoted to an operations manager role, which is currently what I am doing. My biggest achievement since leaving school is a tough question. I’d be tempted to say that it’s being able to live alone, pay my bills, look after myself and stay reasonably sane with my own company… but a close second would be getting my most recent promotion- I worked really hard to prove I could do it, and it eventually paid off. I’m not sure what my future goals are. At the moment I’m focusing on being the best I can be at my job and keeping my house in reasonable order! I like life to be more spontaneous than planned so will just have to see where life takes me! Just want to have my own family and go on lots of adventures! My advice to ALNS students would be: if there is training available, take it! Make the most of what life offers you. volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! It’s the way to get the “experience” that employers want but you can’t get without the chance, it also speaks volumes about the effort you are willing to go to and the person you are. Also, remember that life isn’t all about qualifications. There are many routes out there if you are not a strong academic, but you need to be willing to try at whatever you are doing. People everywhere are willing to help you, but life won’t get handed to you. Give every opportunity your best and no one can ask for more than that.... Read more...Our #alnsalumni – Holly Dennis15th March 2019What have you done after your life at ALNS? I have completed a level 3 health and social care qualification at Portsmouth College as well as coming back to ALNS to volunteer. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? My biggest achievement since leaving ALNS is gaining a place at Chichester university to study primary teaching starting in September 2019. What are your future plans/goals? In the future I plan on qualifying as a primary school teacher What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? My biggest piece of advice would be work as hard as you can to give you the opportunity to do and be what ever you want to be and as much as you may not think it your teachers do know best... Read more...Our #alnsalumni – Natalie Relf15th March 2019What have you done after your life at ALNS? My name is Natalie Relf and after leaving ALNS I was lucky enough to gain a scholarship to a performing arts college called Laine theatre Arts. I was there for three years and upon graduating I was then lucky enough to work onboard some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. I am currently a dancer/singer onboard the carnival dream and feel very lucky and blessed to do a job that I love. What have your biggest achievements been since leaving ALNS? I would have to say that just being able to have a job that you can honestly say doesn’t feel like work is a achievement in itself. I feel very lucky that my job has enabled me to be able to see the world, and meet so many people from different walks of life. It’s a wonderful feeling getting to perform to people every night and to also make their holiday, as entertainment has become such a large part of the cruising industry! I work with some very talented individuals in a huge theatre with the latest technology! It’s constantly pushing me both vocally and physically and I love the challenge! What are you future plans/goals? I think now I’m at a time in my life where I want to think of the future and save now for a place of my own, as I have been constantly living on a floating home! I want to continue to push myself and am open to any new opportunity’s that my career can give me and excited for any new challenges that might come my way! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? I would say to anyone that if there is something you really want in life, that anything is possible! It might take hard work and time but I think it’s so important to follow your dreams and aspirations. I can say that from experience that if you want something bad enough it will come to you in time! Make use of every opportunity that is given to you and know that everyone has their time to shine! Good luck!!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Jo Warwick15th March 2019Jo Warwick was Keen, left ALNS in 2001, was in the second intake to this new as yet un-built school. I have great memories of Penhale road school where we were temporarily while the school was being built. Moving to the new shiny big school was terrifying, we didn’t realise how lucky we we were. What have you done after your life at ALNS? Initially after leaving school I went to Havant college and studied travel and tourism, I worked for a couple of summers in Jersey in hotels but soon realised that, Jersey was too small a place and too far from home. I did a couple of summers working as an activity instructor for the scout association teaching children climbing, abseiling, archery and rifle shooting, this was hugely satisfying and rewarding but was again only seasonal work. Time to grow up and get a full time job so at the age of 22 I started an apprenticeship as an electrician with the NHS. During my apprenticeship I met my now husband at the training centre. I qualified as an electrician, when onto Southbank university to do an HNC in electrical and electronic engineering. Changed role within the NHS to monitor energy efficiency of buildings. Legislation changed and I was asked to carry out some waste audits…the only thing I knew about rubbish was to put it in a bin. Environmental management NEBOSH diploma later and my job really did become rubbish, I was the trust waste manager for 4 years. My colleague, who I shared an office with left, and suddenly I found myself doing his job as well as my own, I made a joke one day to the boss (who was just about to retire) I’m doing his job as well I should be getting his money ….so I got a promotion, to Building and Environmental Compliance Manager. It was around this time having been together for 8 years, and having brought a house together we decided it was time to get married. Later that same year we had our first daughter. 2 years later our second and last might I add daughter was born. I have just returned back to work after my 2nd maternity leave and I realised how much I miss work, the adult conversation and interactions. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? Having 2 children, and remaining almost sane. What are your future plans/goals? Keep my family smiling and having fun, finish renovating our house – that we brought 6 years ago and to complete an extension to the house. Also a family holidays – buckets and spades on the beach, camping. What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? having goals are great it can focus you, however don’t forget the journey it makes you who you are. Don’t worry about changing your goals as your go along the journey.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Matt Fisher13th March 2019Matt Fisher – ALNS Leaver 2011 My name is Matt Fisher and I attended ALNS between 2006 & 2011. Whilst at ALNS I was very involved in the Drama department and upon leaving school took on a BTEC in Musical Theatre at Southdowns College before moving on to Chichester University to undertake a degree in Musical Theatre. Whilst at university I worked with Sussex Police as a Special Constable and discovered a passion for policing. I now work full time as a PC on a response team within Sussex responding to all manner of different crimes and incidents. My biggest achievement since leaving was winning the award of being the ‘Best Young Performer on the South Coast 2014’ something which I will always regard as a high point. My goal is to remain in the Police and climb the ranks whilst trying to make a difference to people’s lives. If I were to give one bit of advice to current students it would be this. Work hard to achieve your grades, putting the ground work in now will set you in good stead for later life and opens up a whole new world of career and education options in the future.”... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Dan Rhodes13th March 2019Dan Rhodes – ALNS Leaver 2016 I attended sixth-form college and achieve three A’levels and now attend Brighton University studying Critical History and am living my best life… I LOVE IT! • What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? I would probably say managing to get through college as it was a very stressful period of my life, and of course getting an unconditional uni offer for Brighton!! What are your future plans/goals? I’m not 100% sure at the minute; I think i’d like to create my own space, whether that be a physical space or online, to talk about queer identity/history, politics and culture. Having my own magazine would be so cool!! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? Enjoy your time there, Admiral was the best years of my life and I would go back in a heartbeat! Also shout out to Mrs Wisbey for being the BOMB!!!!!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Lucy Webb13th March 2019Since leaving ALNS in 2005 I have succeeded in numerous achievements to include further and higher education, a career working for one of the UKs leading airlines and even returned to ALNS as an employee working with the schools most vulnerable and challenging students. As well as reaching my goals academically and career success, I have also become a mother to three beautiful daughters. My biggest achievement to date was to continue and successfully complete my degree at university whilst having my two eldest daughters throughout the duration of my bachelor honours degree in business and tourism management. My commitment to my studies is which led me to working as an air hostess at British Airways; allowing me to really encompass all walks of life. I gained the desire to travel the world and view other cultures and traditions from a life changing trip to The Gambia in year 11 at ALNS. My future plans are to return to the aviation industry and possibly complete a masters degree too. The desire to study will never leave me having being taught the foundations of learning by such wonderful teachers at ALNS; most of whom are still teaching there to date! For students who are currently studying at ALNS; you don’t realise how lucky you are to be in such a nurturing, safe and friendly school surrounded by a team of passionate, caring and dedicated teachers. You’ll miss them as much as we do-promise!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Billie Deacon13th March 2019Billy Deacon – ALNS Leaver 2010 Since leaving ALNS I went on to study Musical Theatre at South Downs college and then achieved a BA honors in dance at Creative Academy. Since then I have then worked as a dancer, singer and choreographer around the world in many different countries including Greece, the Canary Islands and India in the Bollywood film Industry. I plan to continue dancing and begin to focus more on choreography, creating and providing shows for hotels. My long term dream is to own a dance school. My biggest advice is to take advantage of every single lesson, and extra curricular activity offered to you because after school, absolutely everything costs money! This is the only time in your life you have a group of specialised professionals invested into helping you grow and develop, completely for free, appreciate it while it lasts.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Holly Ramejkis13th March 2019Hi I’m Holly Ramejkis now 32, mum to 3 beautiful boys, since leaving Admiral I’ve had a list of jobs from being a legal secretary to selling mobile phone, over the past 5 years is where I have found my dream job. I currently run a photography company called dimples and daisies. We empower women and help them through difficulties they maybe having through photography. We also capture families in nature such as stunning lavender fields and bluebell woods. As well as doing this I also run a product photography company called tales of boys. Where I photograph clothing ranges for children and mums. My biggest achievement with this is being asked by a huge brands in the baby industry such as Fred and Noah and nuby to work with them. For me Admiral helped me grow who I am today. My passion was drama which I excelled in at school. I still use many of my acting skills now to entertain children to help them perform in front of a camera. I hope to carry on doing what I am doing and grow further into working with bigger brands and being a well know product photographer. I also hope to empower women young girls to feel better about their self’s. This year I hope to hold teen workshops to help with bullying and their feelings towards their appearance.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Rosie King13th March 2019Rosie King – ALNS Leaver 2013 What have you done after your life at ALNS? Whilst at school I discovered my love and passion for acting. After leaving ALNS I went on to train at drama college in Essex and am now a working professional actress. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? My biggest achievement has been graduating drama college and living my dream. What are your future plans/goals? I hope to secure steady work in the acting industry and land a long term role! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? Don’t ever think that your dream is unreachable. When you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything! Do what makes YOU happy, and don’t follow others because you think that’s the best way to be accepted. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Billy Cornish13th March 2019Billy Cornish – ALNS Leaver 2013 Hi I’m Billy Cornish I’m 22 and I went to alns in 2008-2013. After ALNS I went to Portsmouth college for a year, then I began working on the railway when I was 18. My biggest achievement since leaving school has been running in the great south run and completing it in under 2 hours and also losing 5 stone in weight in under a year. In the future I hope to rise through the ranks at my company and learn more throughout my career. My advice to students is keep your head down, do your work and don’t act the class clown like I did! Work hard!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Emma Beeson13th March 2019Emma Beeson – ALNS Leaver 2009 My name is Emma Beeson, I’m 26 and left ALNS in 2009. I am currently a Prison Officer, a role which I have carried out for over four years. I specialise in hostage negotiation and Violence Reduction. I have been nominated for Prison Officer of the Year (a national achievement) and I am also starring in a prison programme that is due to air at the end of April/start of May 2019. My aspirations are to eventually set up a company aimed at emotionally supporting just ex-services. The stressors of public service work is unfortunately massively underestimated. My advice to current students would be: just focus. It’s only 5 years of study, that will open up several opportunities later in life when you can decide what you really want to do. Every experience in school (especially the negatives) makes you a stronger person. You’ll be amazed by where you end up in 10, 20 or 30 years. I never thought I’d be where I am today. And I love it. Put the effort in and you will too!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Liz Taylor13th March 2019Liz Taylor – ALNS Leaver 2004 What have you done after your life at ALNS? After leaving school in 2004 I attended college in Havant where I studied A levels, and despite the odds managed to get a place at the University of Winchester where I studied Psychology with Religious Studies. After I graduated in 2010 I worked predominantly with young people for around 6 years. I worked on projects with children from care backgrounds, done detached youth work, worked in children and adolescent mental health, and helped young people with substance misuse issues. In 2016 I then had an amazing opportunity to join Hampshire Constabulary and trained to become a Police Officer, having been a volunteer for the police for about a year prior. I now work in Southampton as a response officer. Beside work, I have travelled extensively in both the UK and further afield; was in a band and recorded an album; I play in an awesome ice hockey team; have loved, lost and still love; have run a marathon; have bought a house; and have a very cute dog called Pedro. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? I guess focusing on doing things that I love and am passionate about, and despite knock backs and often being told ‘no’, believing in myself and achieving my goals. I have been very fortunate, but also I have worked hard, at one point having 4 jobs at one time. It proves that you can ‘dare to dream’ but you also have to work to make those dreams a reality. What are your future plans/goals? I want to see the world. I love my work, and am passionate about what I do, however I work to live not the other way around. There is a beautiful world out there, and my innate hippy is itching to buy a camper van and drive around its entire circumference. What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? Don’t listen to those who put limitations on you. You are the only one who puts limitations upon yourself. You are smarter than I am and will know more than I ever will, so use that incredible mind and soul for good. Love other people, and be kind. You never know when you may need those people to help you out. Dream big, and work hard. But remember, life is for the living, not for staring at a screen or 4 walls. Meet lots of people, and be interested. You’ll learn more from other people than you will from a text book. Enjoy it, it’s a big adventure out there.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Sam Alexander13th March 2019Sam Alexander – ALNS Leaver 2010 ince leaving ALNS, I studied Musical Theatre at Southdowns college, and then earned a degree in Music and Theatre at Falmouth University. During my time at Falmouth, I decided that I really enjoyed working with children, so took the decision to study for my Teaching qualification at Portsmouth Primary SCITT. I am now a year 5 teacher at Northern Parade Junior School, and hold a teaching and leading responsibility in ‘Curriculum Overview’. I love the challenge of working with inner city children, with lots of different backgrounds, and making a difference in their lives. My biggest achievement since leaving ALNS has been achieving my degrees, and graduating (twice!) I am also very proud that I have managed to save enough money to buy my own house, and get my foot on the property ladder. In the future, I plan to continue progressing my career in education, and would like to branch into working specifically with children that have behaviour or anger management issues, and help to guide them through school, and on into whatever they see in their futures. Ultimately, I want to be the Head of my own school, and be responsible for the achievement and aspirations of a range of children with different ages and needs. My advice to current students of ALNS would be to always trust your gut, and don’t let anybody make you feel like less than you are. Many people have told me that I wouldn’t achieve everything that I have, but I used that as fuel to motivate me to prove them wrong! Everyone on this earth can make a difference in their own way, and I can’t wait to see what all of your futures may hold.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Billy Gregory13th March 2019Billy Gregory – ALNS Leaver 2010 I attended Admiral Lord Nelson School and stand out memories include: Performing at Awards Evening, playing acoustically on my own, my own material. I was nervous but it went down really, really well. Guitar lessons with Mr Green. This was an opportunity to immerse myself in something I was passionate about. Year 8 Camp. I loved it when I went in Year 8 and was so pleased to support and help again as an older student. Visiting Poland in Year 10 with the Humanities Department. My favourite lessons? Science in Years 10 and 11. I had the joy of Mr Doherty as my teacher. PE Music, obviously! Being given the free-rein to do what we wanted as musicians, this creative freedom helped get me to what I’m doing now. Life beyond ALNS: At college I studied Biology, Music Technology, PE and Chemistry. I then took a foundation degree in Biological Science at University before studying Music and Songwriting. I am now pursuing a career in Music. I front the band ‘Crystal Tides’, allowing me to live my dream of songwriting and performing original music around the country. Venues I have performed at include: Etihad Stadium, Manchester Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth Portsmouth Guildhall Studio Camden Assembly, London Heartbreakers, Southampton AKA, Banbury O2 Academy, London and Newcastle and Birmingham Audio, Glasgow. Advice for ALNS students? Do something you enjoy, not something purely for earning lots of money; don’t do it for the sake of doing it. And finally, don’t give up.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni- Billy Darke13th March 2019Billy Darke – ALNS Leaver 2010 Since leaving ALNS, I studied A Levels at Havant College and Global Politics at the University of Brighton. My biggest achievement since leaving school was living and working in Brisbane on the East Coast of Australia for two years. I’m now studying back in England to become a teacher. Advice: Everything is achievable.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Josh Macey13th March 2019Josh Macey – ALNS Leaver 2011 Since leaving ALNS I have pursued a career in musical theatre, my passion for performing began in those very drama studios. I carried on to study musical theatre at Southdowns College and from there trained at The Brighton Academy for three years graduating and signing with a west end Agency. I have since been travelling the world, working as a singer on a cruise ship. My only advice can be to absolutely go for your dreams. Hard work and perseverance are all you need to achieve amazing things.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Rhys Warren13th March 2019Rhys Warren – ALNS leaver 2015 After ALNS i completed 2 years at Portsmouth college where I achieved a triple distinction. My biggest achievement would be joining the Royal Navy on the 4th of march 2018, passing out of basic training on the 25th of June. I am also 4 weeks away from being a fully qualified weapons engineer. My future plans would be to progress within the Royal Navy and eventually achieve a commission and becoming a weapons engineering officer. My biggest piece of advice would be to enjoy school while it lasts achieving as much as possible because everything changes when its over... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Charlotte Burrans13th March 2019Charlotte Burrans – ALNS Leaver 2012 I left Admiral Lord Nelson in 2012 after 5 of the best years of school. Since leaving I have been to college, finished an apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning and got my dream job working in a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school. My greatest achievement is becoming successful in a job that I love. It took many years of patience and hard work to get here. The support from staff at ALNS made me want to work with local children and give back to the community. It’s something I love to do and I’m exploring my career options within this field. My future plans would be to get into mental health nursing for children and adolescents. Again, working with local children, young people and their families in the community. My advice for current students would be to enjoy as much of school as you can. Enjoy being with your friends, grasp every opportunity that is given to you (trust me there are so many!!) and knuckle down when it’s time to. Do the best that YOU can do- don’t worry about everyone else. 5 years seems like a lifetime but it’s over so quickly and you can’t change a thing once it’s done.... Read more... Share this pageClick to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)MoreClick to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
