Where are they now?

Read stories from some of our previous bursary recipients…

Ben Gibson (Grove 2015)

My journey to St Peter’s was a bit of a twisting one having attended through to the age of 11 at which point we ran out of money and unfortunately didn’t qualify for any financial support so had to leave.

I managed to return for Sixth Form using my own savings, a small amount of inheritance and a small scholarship. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made, I loved every second of it and really don’t think I would be doing what I am today without the work ethic and love of sport that I developed in St Peter’s. I studied maths at the University of York whilst working at Bannatyne where I ultimately spent eight years and was promoted to General Manager. In September I was fortunate enough to take my hobby of powerlifting full time and am now putting all my effort into winning the British Bench Press Championship for the second time and preparing to represent Great Britain at the world championships again later this year. Alongside this I have started a small strength coaching business and am also working towards opening a new strength and conditioning facility in York to give aspiring athletes all the tools they need to reach the next level of their sport.

Lily Martin (School 2017)

After a brief stint in advertising after graduating from University in the midst of the pandemic, I am now approaching my second-year anniversary as a Civil Servant. It has been a busy two years which have flown by.

During this time, I have witnessed five Ministerial reshuffles, including two changes of Prime Minister, and the development of governmental priorities as the UK returned to business-as-usual after a global pandemic.

I supported colleagues across the Government on HM Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and last May spent the Coronation weekend in the control room at Transport for London’s headquarters, helping to make sure the day ran smoothly.

After time supporting the office of the Secretary of State, last summer I moved on secondment to work in the Private Office of the former Minister for Roads and Local Transport and worked on the front-line of implementing Departmental priorities in Parliament and further afield. Here, I further witnessed the constant hard work of our public and civil servants across the country, whose dedication to the UK is often unrecognised.

After a brief stint supporting colleagues at No 10, I have now moved into a fresh role at the Department for Transport, working in Aviation, and look forward to further applying my skills to a new set of challenges as we approach a busy year for international travel, with the 2024 Olympics in Paris rapidly approaching.

PAUL GITTINS (TEMPLE 1977)

After a Geography degree at Kings, London, I had no real idea of what I wanted to do as a career. A chance conversation led me to train as a Chartered Accountant, partly to put off the day when I had to make that final decision. I still haven’t worked out what that is – and I suspect I’m now too old to be a rock drummer….

My wife and I moved to Skipton in 1999, and I joined Skipton Building Society. Since leaving them in 2012 I’ve worked in the temporary market and have been Interim Finance Director in six Building Societies and small banks.

As I write I’m not working, but I do volunteer on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway as Booking Clerk, Ticket Inspector and Tour Guide. I’m also training as a Station Foreman. My wife keeps asking me if I’m planning to retire any time soon. The short answer is that if I’m enjoying it, and can find jobs that meet my terms, then why would I?

Hannah Perry (Dronfield 1997)

My Mum and I shortlisted a handful of schools in England offering financial assistance. After our site visits, St Peter’s proved to be head and shoulders above the rest so I jumped at the opportunity to attend.

St Peter’s gave me the confidence to explore a different career path to the previous generations of my family. It helped me achieve the unimaginable and more importantly gave me the space not to let my past family life dictate my future. I will be forever in debt to St Peter’s for the financial assistance given to me. I now am settled in London and work as a consultant and mediator.