I joined Barrow Hills in September 2010 and left in July 2012, and Matthew Unsworth was the Head during my time. After Barrow Hills I joined King Edward’s Witley.
On joining Barrow Hills, I remember thinking it was beautiful, the architecture and the grounds, and spending the first few weeks exploring as much as I could. I distinctly remember starting to enjoy Physics with Mr Unsworth, and the awesome DT projects. These classes were part of the reason I went on to study engineering at university.
During my time there, I went on several amazing trips at Barrow Hills, the best being the Ardèche residential in Upper Prep. Canoeing down the river over a couple of days was incredible; I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was only at the school for two years but the experience has stayed with me ever since. Barrow Hills was such a wonderful environment, and I genuinely looked forward to going in, and for 11-year-old me that was very unusual!
After Barrow Hills, I went on to study BEng Mechanical Engineering at the University of Greenwich, and then MSc Naval Architecture at UCL. Whilst at university I joined the University of London Air Squadron, flying the Grob Tutor at every opportunity, even when I should have probably been studying! Upon graduation I joined a graduate engineering scheme at Defence Equipment & Support, living in Bristol, Cornwall and London working with the Navy on a variety of warships and unmanned aircraft. This was incredible, but secretly I always wanted to pursue a flying career.
In December 2023, I was lucky enough to be selected for the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy, and I am now a student at FTEJerez in Spain learning to fly. With any luck I’ll finish here in September 2025 to begin work as a First Officer on BA’s Airbus A320 fleet!