Katy

School: Stratton Upper School

Employer: PGCE student

Job Title: PGCE student

Qualifications:

• BA (Hons) 1st class
• A Levels
• GCSEs
• SUP Instructor

Profile

Since I left Stratton in 2014 I completed a degree with first class honours in Photography at the University of Gloucestershire. Straight after uni I worked in print journalism for around 3 years writing and assisting for Homes & Antiques magazine. Once Covid hit, I decided to head down a different path and I worked as a Stand-Up Paddleboarding instructor on Bristol harbour for about 4 years. Alongside this I was also working as a freelance photographer. I am now back at university completing a PGCE in Secondary Art & Design.

I completed a degree in Editorial & Advertising Photography at the University of Gloucestershire. This was an incredible degree and I wouldn't be where I am now without it. The course was focused on working within the industry, whether that was as a photographer or something else related. Compulsory work experience and a variety of modules ensured that when leaving uni, we were equipped to head straight into industry.

I am now back at University 10 years later at UWE completing a one year PGCE course in Secondary Art & Design education. Through teaching people how to paddleboard and an ever-growing passion for the arts, I wanted to combine the two and inspire future generations through creativity and experimentation.

Advice to students

Follow your passions and do what you love. I have worked in a variety of different jobs and had a whirlwind of experiences and the thing that I keep coming back to is my love of the arts.

Additional Resources