I loved being at DHSG. I came from a cornish primary school as the only pupil and knew no-one, but found it very easy to settle in, with staff and other students alike very welcoming and friendly. The ethos of the school is very supportive, progressive and encouraged me as an individual to achieve my potential. I am in touch with several of my peers- with two of them being bridesmaids when I got married in 2007. I have always felt proud to have been a pupil there.

My school memories

I loved being at DHSG. I came from a cornish primary school as the only pupil and knew no-one, but found it very easy to settle in, with staff and other students alike very welcoming and friendly. The ethos of the school is very supportive, progressive and encouraged me as an individual to achieve my potential. I am in touch with several of my peers- with two of them being bridesmaids when I got married in 2007. I have always felt proud to have been a pupil there.

What did you do after DHSG?

After DHSG I obtained a place at Bristol University to do a Joint Honours degree in Law and German, which was a 4 year degree where I spent 3 years studying at Bristol and 1 year studying the law at the University of Gottingen in Germany. I obtained a 2:1 and then applied to a number of international law firms in London for a training contract, in order to utilise my legal and language skills. I was sponsored through my Law School training by a top 20 UK law firm called CMS Cameron McKenna, based in London but with offices internationally and I did my two year solicitor training contract with them. During my training I spent 6 months in each of the following departments: Insurance Litigation, Commercial Property, Corporate and Planning. I was offered a job with them as a newly qualified solicitor in the Commercial Property department back in 2006. Due to family reasons I decided to move back to the West Country in late 2006 and joined Bond Dickinson (formerly Bond Pearce) as a Commercial Property solicitor. I have worked there ever since and am now a Managing Associate. I am married and have two young children (picture attached!).

Tips and advice

Language skills opened a lot of doors for me, as it gave me the edge over my competitors when applying for a University place and then later on when looking for employment. As a parent myself, I could not recommend DHSG more highly to a prospective student.