Alumni Community

Since leaving Crown Hills in 2021, I continued my studies at WQE College where I completed A Levels in Law, Psychology and IT, alongside an EPQ in my final year researching mental health. During this time, I developed a strong interest in understanding how mental health affects individuals and communities.

Although I originally planned to pursue a career in law and become a barrister, my growing interest in mental health led me to take a different path. I applied to study a BSc Mental Health Nursing (Hons) at Nottingham Trent University, where I am now approaching the completion of my degree and will qualify as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 2026.

My training has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, giving me the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people and gain valuable experience supporting individuals through difficult periods in their lives. It has strengthened my resilience, compassion and determination to make a positive difference. Although I do currently work as a Healthcare Support Worker, I am excited to continue my career and upgrade as a nurse in the NHS and continue supporting people in improving their mental health and wellbeing.
One of my fondest memories at Crown Hills was taking part in my BTEC Drama lessons, which played a huge role in building my confidence and allowing me to express myself more freely. I also have very positive memories of my P.E. lessons. Sport was never something I initially enjoyed, but having the same teacher from Year 7 meant I was constantly encouraged not to give up. Through that support I developed a real appreciation for staying active, something I still enjoy today. I also enjoyed representing the school during events such as open days, where I had the opportunity to speak to prospective students and families. It made me feel proud to be part of the Crown Hills community.
The most valuable lesson Crown Hills taught me was the importance of resilience and perseverance. The school’s values of aspiration, commitment and success have stayed with me throughout my journey. These values, along with the encouragement from my teachers, helped me learn to push myself even when things felt challenging. That mindset has been invaluable during my studies and training.

Crown Hills helped me realise that success doesn’t always follow a straight path, but with determination and resilience, you can achieve more than you ever expected.

My advice to current students would be to believe in yourself, stay open to new opportunities, and never be afraid to pursue a path that truly inspires you

Since completing my studies at Crown Hills in 2018, I continued my education at WQE, where I studied A‑levels in Biology, Psychology and Music. However, like many students, my studies were abruptly interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I first pursued a BSc in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Leicester, graduating in 2023. Following this, I completed an MRes in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Birmingham in 2024. I subsequently enrolled on the 4-year British Heart Foundation (BHF) MRes+PhD program in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Leicester, graduating from the MRes component in 2025 and currently within the first year of my PhD.

My research focuses on a class of anti-diabetic drugs known as SGLT2 inhibitors. Although originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, these drugs have recently been shown to significantly improve cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. The reasons as to why these drugs work so effectively in treating non-diabetic conditions remain a mystery. Understanding the mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors forms the central focus of my PhD. Alongside my professional achievements, I also compose and produce music in my free time, sharing my work online through MuseScore and SoundCloud under the alias Tspan15.

Some of my fondest memories from Crown Hills include the many extracurricular opportunities organised by the wonderful Mr Allison. Through these experiences, I learnt, developed and performed music in a variety of settings. These performances include De Montfort Hall, workshops with local primary schools to collaborate with the younger children, and several appearances at award events hosted by the college.

The most valuable lesson that I learnt during my time at Crown Hills was never to limit myself. I was constantly encouraged to pursue a wide range of interests and to take advantage of every opportunity available both inside and outside the classroom. I have carried this mindset of curiosity and willingness to try new things with me ever since, which has allowed me to develop a broader range of skills and pursue passions I may not have otherwise discovered.

Hello, my name is Malika I left Crown Hills in the year 2025. Since leaving Crown Hills I have embarked on an exciting new chapter in my education. I am currently studying level 2 btech Health and Social Care at Gateway Sixth Form College. This path has allowed me to build upon my foundational skills I developed at secondary school, focusing on helping others and understanding the complexities of professional care. Transitioning from Crown Hills to college was a big step for me, as it is for everyone.

My fondest memory of my time at Crown Hills is not just one single event, but the incredible environment which was created by the staff and my friends. The constant motivation provided by my teachers gave me the boost I needed to succeed. The most valuable thing I got taught was that we all learn and work at different speeds.