I live around 10 minutes away from Feltham High Street, which means my commute to school is thankfully short. Usually I walk to school by myself, however if I feel a little late, I take one of the two buses that I can take to get here. I usually meet up with my friends near school, we talk for a little while and then go up the steps to Phase 5.

Why did you decide to come to Feltham College?

I attended a different school prior to Year 12 at Feltham College, but when it came to choose where to study to enrich my future, this was the most natural place to come. It was a decision that I wanted to make with both my mind and my gut instinct. Logistically its close proximity to my house made it an incredible practical choice, however the real deciding factor was the comforting atmosphere. The teachers I spoke with at the Open Evening were incredibly encouraging, warm and interested in their subjects, which really made me feel comfortable about making the transition. It felt like a place where I could challenge myself academically, without losing the safety net of a supportive network and environment.

What’s your experience been like so far?

So far it has been incredibly rewarding and intellectually stimulating. Transitioning into A-levels can be daunting, but the lessons here are fascinating and they go far beyond just memorising the syllabus. Instead they are structured in a way that allows me to explore my passions on a much deeper level. Whether we are debating alternative interpretations in English Literature or understanding the historical impact of Henry VII, the classroom environment encourages deep, independent thought and I feel like my curiosity is nurtured.

What’s the best thing about Feltham College?

I think that the best thing is the profound sense of community that it fosters, where everyone knows everyone. The Feltham College Student Union also creates an incredible sense of belonging and togetherness where a genuine culture of kindness and respect flourishes. It allows for all our voices to be heard as individuals with hopes and dreams that can enrich the school and pave the way for a better future.

What are the teachers and the other students like?

The teachers are very sweet and you can tell they are genuinely passionate about what they teach. The students felt very welcoming. It didn’t much feel like starting somewhere new, more like a fresh start with different people that you could develop new friendships and bonds with.

What are you studying?

I’m studying English Literature, History and Government and Politics. English Literature was my favourite subject at GCSE and currently still is, as I don’t think there’s ever been a point in my life where I’ve looked at something and taken it’s meaning literally, There is no greater joy to me than learning different perspectives and analysis, because it allows me to understand how different experiences shape how humans perceive plays, prose and poetry. English Literature is my psychology in a sense. History is also one of my favourite subjects. The study of the past allows us to learn from previous mistakes and ensure we make better choices in the future.

However, I want to pursue my career in Government and Politics. Studies show 18-25 year olds are the most disengaged in politics throughout history, but I believe it’s important to be politically aware, not just a member of society but as a citizen of Earth, where we all have so much to improve and to give.

What are you planning on doing next?

I’m drawn particularly to International Relations, the way in which cultures meet and clash and try to understand each other. The art of sitting across a table from someone whose world is incredibly different from yours and finding the safe ‘in between’ where you both speak the same language of wanting a more safe, seen and heard world.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Read, Read, Read. I know it sounds like a very cliché answer to a hobby, but when I say that I read I mean I read. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love books and words. It’s got to a point where that’s the only gift I ever get. This may be the most re-used quote of all time, but nothing says it quite like this does “I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seem the end of time. Because I read”

If you could only have one app on your phone which would it be?

Substack, and there is no contest whatsoever.

Who do you most admire?

I wouldn’t say I admire a particular person or group of people. I admire people that make a room feel easier to be in, not just the ones that demand attention but the ones that somehow make you feel like you exhale with peace.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming here in September next year?

I would tell them that they should come with an extremely open mind to do what they want, however they want and whenever they want. It’s a fresh start and a way to create a new beginning for yourself.