What A Levels did you study?
I studied English, Media, Biology and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
What did you like about your chosen subjects?
I liked the varied aspects of English, as we studies a novel and a Shakespeare play. The varied aspects kept me intrigued and helped broaden my knowledge on a much wider range of literary text.
I didn’t pick up Media until quite late in year 12 because I initially took Biology, Chemistry and English. I found I didn’t get on with Chemistry very well, but I continued it through. I soon went back and spoke to staff and said that I would like to have the opportunity to do Media and the teachers were incredibly supportive, as was Gemma (Head of 6th Form College). The staff put in so much time and effort to teach me on top of what they were already teaching, I was able to do the course outside of lessons. I can’t thank them enough for doing that. I continued Media through to the second year and without their support I wouldn’t have been able to do it at all. It was definitely my favourite subject and I just have such an interest in media theory. I love it.
What did you enjoy about Biology?
I liked learning about the fundamentals of life and how everything comes together. I think It’s very interesting to know how your body works, in a strange way, it’s quite eye opening. It was challenging, but I enjoyed it.
You were involved in a Penybont 6th Form College Governor meeting, were you interested in being able to voice your opinions on behalf of your peers?
Yes, I was head girl, student governor and member of the school council, so I took as many opportunities as I could to be able to put my opinion forward. It was great to be able to take the opinions of the other pupils and correlate them before feeding them back. I really enjoyed doing the extra curricular activities, I think it was very beneficial to my methods of public speaking and it helped when talking in front of intimidating audiences.
You mentioned that you were a Welsh representative on the Edelman Trust Barometer panel in London?
Yes, I had an opportunity to be the Welsh representative on the Edelman Trust Barometer panel in London. Myself, my friend and Gemma, head of 6th, went to London for 2 days. I had to prep and meet other people from all over the UK to debate about topical issues for our age category. On this panel was Ed Balls (ex politician), chaired by Gemma Carney (Radio 1 presenter) and Ed Williams (CEO of Edelman). I found meeting Ed very eye opening, it was an absolutely incredible experience and at that moment I realised media was definitely the industry I wanted to go into. Without the collaboration between Bridgend College and Penybont 6th Form College, I would never have had that experience. I am very grateful for the collaboration.