Former Sixth Former “excited” to return to school as part of teaching support team

“Aim high and believe in yourself” is the message from Ellie Holloway after the former pupil at The Hart School graduated with a first class music degree.

The 21-year-old, who sat both her GCSEs and A Levels at the Rugeley school, has now come full circle and returned to be part of the teaching support team.

After graduating with a First Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Nottingham, Ellie now aims to become a qualified maths teacher.

And, while she works towards that career goal, she’s enjoying taking up the role as teaching cover supervisor, supporting the maths department in the classroom and helping support performing arts projects at the Penkridge Bank Road school.

Extra-curricular activities at The Hart helped Ellie to get the most out of university life  

Ellie said: “I am excited to be back at The Hart School. I have thoroughly enjoyed both catching up with members of staff that worked at the school when I was there and meeting new people.

“I have many fond memories of my time at the school. I particularly enjoyed taking part in extra-curricular activities, such sports days and tours to Paris and Belgium with the school choir.”

She added: “My education at the Hart School enabled me to achieve good GCSE and A Level grades that I needed to get into a top university. And my experience in the school choir also helped prepare me for choral and solo vocal opportunities at university, such as singing in the chorus of a new opera and singing solos for the University Chamber Chamber Choir.

“I now hope to provide similar opportunities for the young people at The Hart School by supporting their performing arts projects over the next year.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities that this role provides and am looking forward to getting more involved over the next few weeks.”

Still accepting Sixth Form applications – but deadline is fast approaching

The school is still accepting applications for its Sixth Form, which is unique in that it creates it curriculum to suit the subject needs of each cohort, until the first week of January 2022.

Head of Sixth Form Ben Brennan said:

“Ellie is one of our many successes stories.

“We are delighted to see her back in school after she graduated with a first class degree from a top university.

“At The Hart School we are driven in achieving the best possible outcomes for students and we have been exceptionally proud to see our results continue to improve year-on-year.

“This allows our students to be as aspirational as possible, with many of our students going to some of the most prestigious Russell Group universities and securing employment with global companies. It is these life chances that make all the difference in our ever-changing world.”

The Hart School is part of Creative Education Trust families of schools which has invested £1.1m to improve the facilities at the school, located on the edge of Cannock Chase, over the last two years.