Hannah - Leaver 2008 – Taking a gap year before studying Medicine at East Anglia University (2009)

“The skills and experience I gained whilst at City have already helped me in my gap year and prepared me for my future. I feel I have gained the confidence to achieve as much as an ‘Old Girl’ as I did whilst I was a student, largely a result of the extra-curricular activities City offered.  School plays, house events and Swing Band allowed me to interact with students from all school years.  As a member of the Women in Leadership Speakers Committee I learnt to write to complete strangers with ease, and invite them to speak to us or ask for work experience.  As Captain of Tudor House I was leading a large group of girls and had a huge amount of fun, particularly at house assemblies; the team spirit within Tudor was always a brilliant way to start the week.”

Alexandra – Leaver 2008 – Taking a gap year before studying Religion and Theology at Manchester University (2009)

“I spent eleven of the most important years of life at City, and left with a fantastic, loyal group of friends, a place at University and some amazing memories. The spirit of the school during house sport, drama and music competitions is like nothing else; something which is made more intense by the closeness of City as a school and a community in general.   The work ethic which was instilled in me at City (one of working hard and being rewarded for it) gave me a useful base for university. The level of teaching and importance placed on achieving everything you are capable of set me up for the competitive and demanding course which I am studying.  City put me in good stead for working hard and being confident in my abilities, but its geographical situation, and the fact that the girls come from all over London, allowed me to make the most of London as well.”

Edie- Leaver 2008 – Reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University (2008)

“I left City last summer with a drive and motivation to see the world and discover new things, which I think only my two years at City could have given me. The broad range of activities City has to offer, the high standard of teaching and the brilliant people I met have hugely contributed to my experiences beyond school.  I am currently on my gap year au pairing in Milan and learning Italian, having just returned from East Africa where I was teaching and working on other charitable projects. The opportunities to meet people and learn about things at City have allowed me to do fascinating charity work since and equipped me with the background knowledge (like learning about international development and historical forces) to get the most out of my time abroad and hopefully my future. I would encourage anybody who wants to apply to go for it; I came from a town outside London and knew nobody at all.”

Nyasha - Leaver 2008 – Taking a gap year before reading Philosophy Politics and Economics at Oxford University (2009)

“I had always enjoyed City, but it was not until the Sixth Form where I really came into my own. I have never been an all rounder, so being able to choose the subjects I wanted to study was fantastic. The classes were mixed up, so it meant I spent time with people I had not known before. The admission of the new girls was brilliant and some of my best friends now only came in the sixth form. What I really enjoyed about City was the range of opportunities available. I have always loved Drama, and although I gave up Theatre Studies after AS Levels, I still was able to act in two really enjoyable school plays, ‘Just’, by Ali Smith and “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt at the boys’ school.  I feel like I could not have been given better preparation for the outside world.  If you are looking for a wide and varied education, fantastic teachers, challenging work, and kind and down to earth girls, I could not recommend City more.”

Louisa - Taking a gap year before reading French and Spanish at Oxford University (2009)