6th Form Alumni

I graduated from St. Bede’s in 1998 with A Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Physics. I got my BSc in Genetics from Edinburgh University and a Master’s from Manchester University. After that I moved to Los Angeles to do my PhD in Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Southern California. I’m now a cofounder and the CEO of Karma Biotechnologies, a new biotech startup here in LA. We research and develop ways to use nanotechnology to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. We’re developing new ways to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and to help the body self-repair its damaged tissues. We’re also developing new products for crops, which enhance the natural abilities of a farmer’s plants to resist pests, droughts and other stresses. My job is really exciting – one minute I’m in the lab building nanoparticles, then the next I’m flying to San Francisco to meet with billionaire tech investors. I can’t wait to get our technology out into the real world where it can help people.

I graduated Sixth Form in 1982 with three A Levels (History, Maths and Economics) and an S Level in Economics. I think I was the second sixth former to get an S Level, the first one being Janice Milroy who was the headmaster’s daughter! I went to Sheffield University and achieved my BA in Business Studies in 1985. I tried to get a career in Marketing but with no success, so I returned home to Peterlee in 1985 and had two sales jobs in a year, one selling advertising for the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (and Sunderland was my sales patch so you can imagine how popular I was) and then selling financial products for a bank located at Sunderland leisure Centre.

I moved south in 1986 and went into accountancy with Deloitte near London. I qualified as a chartered accountant and subsequently began a career in internal auditing with Top Shop/Top Man in Oxford Street. There my boss became a mentor to me and I followed him to a couple of companies, ultimately ending up working with him at British Airways at Heathrow as a senior Audit Manager in the mid-nineties. There I got to travel the world, even flying on Concorde for business trips a few times. In the late nineties, because I had done so much world travel, I attracted the interest from Colgate Palmolive in New York City. I joined them in 1998 and my office was on Park Avenue in New York looking directly into the Waldorf hotel. I enjoyed working in Manhattan very much, but my real desire was to work in media and entertainment. In 2004 I got a job at Walt Disney Company in LA and I was in charge of financial audit for several Disney divisions including the theme parks. My job was actually to visit the Disney parks and hotels around the world. Then I was put in charge of Disney Studio accounting for their US operations and that included accounting for all film production and distribution in the USA.

Five years ago I moved over to FOX, also in Los Angeles, and I am currently Senior Vice President in charge of internal audit for all Fox worldwide businesses including 20th Century Fox and Fox channels and TV production. My jobs takes me around all the Fox operations worldwide and I have audited Fox operations in many countries including China, Russia and the UK.

I left 6th form in 1984. I trained as a nurse in 1985 & qualified in 1988. I have worked in different specialties but have worked as a specialist nurse for many years now. I am currently a Nurse Endoscopist at North tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. I have also had a parallel career in the Army reserve from 1990 to 2009. I was commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1991 as a Nursing officer with 201 Field Hospital (V) and retired as a Major in 2009. I enjoyed my time and served in Iraq in 2003 & Afghanistan in 2007.

As our Year 13 students prepare to leave the Sixth Form, this is what a few of them had to say…

‘The small classes meant we received the support we needed to complete our A Levels as well as the individualised teaching’ Jane Quan

‘I received a private education for free. We had excellent support from teachers and they strive to ensure we do our best; even teaching extra information that could make us better than students from other schools. The support is in place and teachers truly care about their students’ William Bates

‘The support from the teachers at Byron helped us to reach out potential, always willing to give extra support. The small classes created a friendly environment around the Sixth Form’ Morgan Lamb

‘I was able to receive one-to-one help whenever I needed it, as the teachers were always prepared to help with anything. The care from the teachers towards each and every student reaching their full potential is outstanding’ Elizabeth Riddell

‘Byron has been a good Sixth Form to attend due to how comfortable I have been able to feel here. The small classes and bonds you can form with teachers make it less overwhelming so I have been able to concentrate on my studies as well as enjoying myself’ Jessica Huntington

‘Byron has been a good Sixth Form in helping me over the past 2 years to develop as a person and with the support from my teachers helping me to achieve as they are always prepared to help me when needed. My time at Byron has been great and I have enjoyed every moment of my experience’ Jaskarran Lally

After St Bede’s Catholic School and Byron 6th Form, Liam went to Newcastle University to complete a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Following that, he will be starting as a Design Engineer at Rolls Royce, working on aircraft engines (all too soon now).

At university his final year project was Formula Student. This involved a team of 13 completely designing, manufacturing, assembling, testing and racing a single seat, open cockpit race car. The car is fully electric, has the same power to weight ratio as a Ferrari weighing only 230kg and also does 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds.

Liam has quoted ”One of the best things that I will take from Byron 6th Form was getting involved in Bede Byron Cycling Club (remember those bike rides to Thorpe Thewles and Hetton Lyons Country Park!). It got me up and running and I’ve never looked back, recently completing Edinburgh to Newcastle (145 miles) in 8 hours for charity”

The Dickinson Family have all attended both St Bede’s Catholic School and the 6th form, this is their story…..

Stephen Dickinson: after 6th form he went on to work at Nissan, progressing over the years he now carries out Quality Control Checks within the company.

Christopher and Sarah Dickinson (formerly Daniel): Both went to school and 6th form at St Bede’s and this is where they met. They are now happily married with a beautiful little girl. Matilda.

Christopher: went on to study Sport at University. He has worked at Seaham Comprehensive school for a few years but is now in charge of the Behavioural Unit at Easington Colliery Primary School.

Sarah: studies History and Politics at Durham University, then completed a Secondary PGCE. Sarah has worked at English Martyrs School and 6th form in Hartlepool, however is not an Assistant Head Teacher at Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe

Elizabeth Surtees: on leaving the 6th form studied English and Educations at Sunderland University and is now working as a HLTA at Venerable Bede in Rhyope.

Maria Hunter: Went to Sunderland University to read Childhood Studies, on the success of this she completed her Primary Teacher Training at Trinity Primary in Seaham. Maria is now training in middle management at St Josephs School in Murton.

Daniel Dickinson: After 6th form Daniel studied at Sunderland gaining a Mechanical Engineering Degree, from this he gained a job at Nissan where he still works but no as a Senior Engineer; regularly jet setting to places such as Paris and Amsterdam with work.

Jessica Dickinson: Last summer Jessica graduated from Northumbria University after reading Geography. She is currently working as a Geography teacher at English Martyrs School and 6th form and over the past year with school has travelled to Iceland and Sorrento. Jessica hopes to qualify and gain QTS next month and secure her job for September.