When did you attend Francis Holland and what initially brought you to the school?

I joined Francis Holland in Year 7. I came from a small local state primary in Southwest London which my two elder siblings had also attended. My sister who is three years my senior had gone to an all-girls’ school in Dulwich, so coming to FHS was the first time I had gone to a school where I wasn’t known as the ‘little sister’. I was also the only person from my primary to go to FHS that year, so it was a whole new beginning for me. I think that exposure was good for my development.

I first visited the school on the recommendation of one of my friends’ who described it as her ‘dream school’. From the moment I walked around, I felt a sort of connection. I loved the buildings, the atmosphere, the authenticity. It very much felt like a school where each student was seen and valued for the individuals that they are. I remember feeling the same way the first time I visited Pembroke College in Oxford (where I completed my undergraduate studies). I chose to apply to Pembroke College because it reminded me of FHS!

What’s your fondest memory from your schooldays and why does it stand out to you?

Probably the end-of-term assemblies where Dr Upcott, Mr Edes, and Mr Galloway would get together in a band and perform for the school. These assemblies were just filled with fun, laughter, and joy. The whole school community, from Year 7 to the Sixth Form, would come together to celebrate the term’s achievements. There would also be an inter-house competition and lots of singing. Celebrations like these typify what it means to attend a school like FHS – as a school community, we enjoy being together and lifting each other up. Those memories are incredibly nostalgic and very special to me.

Is there a teacher, or subject that had a lasting impact on you, and if so, why?

So many! Honestly, every single teacher who taught me at FHS invested a huge amount in me and my peers. The teachers were why I wanted to stay at FHS for Sixth Form, despite having applied to other schools (partly because I was intrigued by a co-educational Sixth Form experience!).

You form a much more meaningful connection with your A Level teachers, partly because you have more lessons with them and the class sizes get smaller. For this reason, all my History, Geography, and Religious Studies teachers (along with my Heads of Sixth Form, Mrs Banks, Mrs Wilkes, and Mrs Ramage) were incredibly impactful. In particular, Miss Boon, alongside Mrs Crawley, who assisted me with my Oxford application and interview preparation, and with whom I, and others from our A Level History class, continue to keep in contact!

Can you share some key highlights from your journey since leaving FHS (work and/or other)

Graduating from Oxford University this Summer was a highlight! I feel like I owe that degree to my FHS teachers and everyone at Oxford who taught me. I am in debt to many amazing people who generously gave me their time and consideration! I was so proud to represent my university in the 2025 Boat Races, especially since I had only learned how to row the previous year! I am also proud of how much I challenged myself at Oxford, academically and personally. I served as President of Oxford Women in Business, Oxford’s largest all-female student society, and as Treasurer of the Pembroke College JCR Art Collection Fund, Pembroke’s very own one-of-a-kind collection of post-war British art, owned and managed by the undergraduate student body and with an on-site gallery! Because I ‘leaned in’ to the whole Oxford experience, I have met some fantastic people, made lifelong friendships, and been able to do things and experience opportunities that I might never get the chance to do again!

How did you come to be in your current/most recent career? How has your career evolved since you left school, and are there any surprising twists? What are the most interesting parts of your role?

I am pursuing a one-year master’s programme at SOAS. I felt compelled to continue full-time education for another year because I enjoyed my degree so much. However, I also recognised that I had completed what I call the ‘Oxford experience’. It was an amazing and enriching experience that I wouldn’t change for the world, but it was also one of the most stressful times of my life. At the end of the third year, I realised that I was done with Oxford, but I wasn’t quite done with my degree yet. I developed my two areas of specialism: contemporary Islam in the Middle East and South Asia, and Buddhist studies. Hence, I chose to study Middle Eastern Studies! I start in the next few weeks and am very excited. My long-term career plan is to qualify as a solicitor here in the UK, though I am also exploring the Civil Service fast-stream and consultancy.

To fund my studies, I work part-time as a sales associate at Reformation on the King’s Road! I love interacting with clients and styling outfits, so it is the perfect fit for me while I continue my studies and figure myself out a bit more! I guess it is also a full-circle moment, as I used to go window shopping on the King’s Road after school.

What advice would you give current students about making the most of their time here? What one piece of advice would you give to other FHS alumni/current pupils?

Appreciate the little things. I appreciate your teachers and the opportunity to get involved in extracurriculars, sports, societies, and enrichment programmes. The list is endless! Appreciate your surroundings, too. When I visited FHS two weeks ago, I remembered how beautiful Belgravia is and the amazing on-site facilities students have access to. These facilities rival universities, even Oxford! I only appreciated how lucky I was after finishing school and moving on. Looking back, I would have loved to have used the gym more and got more involved in cross-country running. As a student, I was very results oriented because I thought nothing mattered as much as good academics. Academics are important; however, they are not singularly important.

If you could go back in time and speak to your younger self during school, what would you say?

I know it is a cliché, but I would tell the younger version of myself that everything works itself out eventually. Not necessarily in the way you imagine or hope and dream for initially. But maturity is realising that what you may have wanted at age 11 might be different to what you want at age 18. So, I would say, calm down and don’t worry so much – there is only so much you can plan for and overthink!

Best quote you live by and why?

It is more of a reminder than a quote I ‘live by’, but, whenever I am hit with feelings of insecurity or inferiority, I remember Lewis Carroll’s words in Alice in Wonderland where the Mad Hatter tells Alice, “You’re not the same as you were before. You were much more ... Muchier. You’ve lost your muchness”. May we never lose our muchness!

If you would like to take part in Portrait of Alumna, please email alumni@fhs-sw1.org.uk