Our Alumni

We are building a register of our alumni to share their stories with students who may be wondering where their studies could take them or be confused about the different routes at 16+. Using these accounts as case studies in our newsletter and on posters around the school, our young people can learn about and take inspiration from those who were once where they are now. We hope to enable students and parents, both today and in the future, to see the varied careers our alumni have progressed into and also demonstrate the many different routes to success.

If you attended one of the schools on our Box Lane site (Congleton High School, Heathfield High School or Congleton County Secondary School for Boys) and are interested in being part of this project, please email: alumni@congletonhigh.com with details or for more information about how you could help to inform and inspire future generations.

If you would like to keep in touch and up to date with the school and our alumni, we have a Congleton High Facebook page, a Congleton High group on Linked In, a Twitter account (@congletonhs) and also Instagram (congletonhs).

Please take a look at the first of the stories we have to share. Click on the names or photos to learn more about our former students' career paths after leaving CHS:

	1966-1971 Patrick Wilson - Retired Senior Atomic Energy Technologist  "Always take learning opportunities and be ready for change. I never turned down a chance to learn and ended up teaching others."
	1983-1987 Philip Smith - 787 Dreamliner Pilot, British Airways "I would encourage every young person to engage with and embrace every educational opportunity offered to them. A good education gives you options."
	1984-1989 Mark Cartwright - Technical Director, Stoke City FC “Through adversity, hard work AND only because I had an education behind me I have been able to achieve what I have in life as a professional sportsman.”
	1985-1990 Jamie Smith - Executive Director, South Staffs College "I realised a long time ago that education really is the only way to transform your life chances."
	1987-1994 Paul Strick - Engineering Manager, Birmingham Airport "If you hit a brick wall, don't give up and don't try to run through it. Climb over the wall or go around it! There isn't just one path to where you want to go."
	1988-1995 Claire Hatton (Davison) - Safety Unit Manager, Air Traffic Control Services "Don’t be restricted by other people’s expectations and don’t be frightened to be unconventional. Pursue what you want to do, even if it’s not what anyone else is doing - be bold!"
	1989-1996 Yvonne Wallace (Fraser) - Geophysicist, Australia "A sincere thanks to all those teachers and other staff who made our school life so rich."
	1993-1999 Louise Rogers - Regional Creative Manager, Bauer Media "Don’t worry that you haven’t got it figured out yet, you will panic when plans veer off course but trust that you will end up where you are meant to be. Journeys are never straight roads, but your compass within will guide you."
	1994-2001 Claire King - Service Delivery Manager, Atos "If you can, have fun with whatever you do. Take subjects you enjoy, because if you don't enjoy them it is going to feel like a chore."
	1998-2004 Sarah Johnson - Head of Visual Art, Singapore "Choose a path that is inspirational to you as an individual. You have to be able to enjoy your job and want to go to work every day."
	2000-2008 Kirsty Simpkins - Teacher, Marbella, Spain "Follow your passion. Something may not seem easy at first but, with the right attitude, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve!"
	2001-2008 Beckie Morley - Community Musician “It’s really nice to work in such a rewarding job, where you make lots of people happy every day, through music.”
	2003-2008 Hannah Gilfoyle - Teacher "School is the best time of your life and you don't realise that until it is over. Take advantage of every opportunity you get as you don't realise how lucky you are to be able to try new things."
	2003-2010 Nick Davies PhD - Trainee Patent Attorney "It's ok to be unsure of where you are headed in life and, in fact, it can even be a good thing."
	2006-2010 Lauren Edwards - Senior Patent Consultant, Arizona US "Now I ask myself: 'What would you do if you weren't afraid?' - it helps me realise that my fear may be holding me back and that I should move out of my comfort zone if I want to progress."
	2007-2014 Richard Ruane - Traffic Supervisor, BC Transport "Channel more energy into finding ways of revision that work for you as not all methods work for everyone."
	2008-2013 Ronan Clayton - Hair Stylist/ Colourist "I left with my GCSEs under my belt and, as a bonus, was also crowned Prom King!"
	2008-2015 Jayne Booth - Manufacturing Technologies Intern, Airbus UK "The preparation I received at CHS was invaluable and the opportunities far beyond any experience my current peers had."
	2010-2015 George Frost - Haulage Company CEO - G&L Fost Ltd/ G Frost and Daughter "As long as you have the drive and determination, you will get where you want to be."
	2010-2016 Rob Slater - Residential Support Worker "It’s not going to be easy, but with lots of fun, laughter and resilience, you will get there!"
	2010-2017 Lucy Wright - Media Assistant, Stoke City FC “Believe in yourself and your abilities. Stop doubting yourself, carry on working hard and you will eventually get rewarded.”
	2011-2017 Laura Bailey - AC (Aircraftwoman), RAF "I’m 21 and only just settled in my career path, and even at my age you still don’t have to know!"
	2011-2019 Abby Wakefield - Training to become a Drama Teacher "Have fun, it's okay to get things wrong at times. Work hard and you will get where you want to be."
	2014-2021 Sam Worthington - Reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Durham University. "My experiences have taught me that it is the qualities that make you different that hold intrinsic value – far more than the pursuit of conformity."
	2014-2021 Tom Darlington - Reading Geography at The University of Aberystwyth "Take every opportunity you are given, even if you aren’t certain, always have a go as that’s the best way to learn and build yourself up academically and socially!"