DHSG was a crucial character building time in my life. I was always a very charismatic girl with a deep love for the arts. This was always encouraged by my teachers at the time and I ended up doing many drama exams, plays and performances for the school. I also had a philosophical mind, more interested in the school library than any particular club. I got very attached to some of my teachers,

My school memories

DHSG was a crucial character building time in my life. I was always a very charismatic girl with a deep love for the arts. This was always encouraged by my teachers at the time and I ended up doing many drama exams, plays and performances for the school. I also had a philosophical mind, more interested in the school library than any particular club. I got very attached to some of my teachers, especially Mrs Dunball who was the head mistress at the time. I would come to her office for advice on my accents for certain character parts or just to have a chat! Her office was always open and I had a deep respect for her and her excellent knowledge of the arts. I also had an incredible RE teacher, Mr Ahmed who inspired me so much.

What did you do after DHSG?

I went on to study at the academy of contemporary music in Guildford, became part of a rather successful band at the time and went on tour with Skunk Anansie, worked with the  Red Hot Chillis, Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, Will Young , Joey the lips and worked for Joss Stone with her Artist development programme. I went on to sing and write professionally, being played to this day on BBC introducing (I have just written a global charity song for Animals Asia). In my spare time, I teach meditation, dance and life coaching classes at Plymouth University and at the yoga loft, song write professionally and am currently planning to walk the length of Britain in 2018 to promote meditation and to tour my new album ‘memorabilia’. I dream big! That's thanks to DHSG. 

Tips and advice

I chose not to go to a typical university, even though it is the usual path. Instead, I pursued my dreams and developed my mind through experience of that dream, this gave me an incredible sense of confidence and I wasn't defined by my grades (even though I did fine!) If like me, you find exams traumatising, know that success isn't just one routed path. Work towards your dream, however far away it seems right now. Don't worry too much if you don't get the grades. I have never succeeded based on my grades, only my self-belief. I succeeded because I had a deep respect for my teachers, I listened to what they said and absorbed their great advice. 

Parents advice: 
If you have a creative child, know that they will be nurtured at DHSG. Maybe they are a unique soul that needs more than good grades, maybe they need a safe place to express themselves, DHSG was that place for me and I doubt that it has changed. I couldn't have got where I am today without this solid foothold and such personal attention from my excellent teachers.