Student Alumni
Get in Touch
The aim of the Downend Post 16 students Alumni is to keep in touch with our past students and share in your success in careers and education. We always have a great sense of pride in every single individual when we learn about their education and careers. Our hope is your progress and stories will inspire our current and future students. Please contact as many of our fellow students as you can and encourage them to participate in the Student Alumni page.
If you have studied at Downend Post 16 – Sixth Form in the past, we would love to hear from you.
Please complete the Alumni form here.
Alumni Stories
David Stevens
Qualifications: BA, Music (Oxon); MA, Choral Conducting (Lond.)
University: Oxford; Royal Academy of Music
JobTitle: Director of the Girls' Choir and Assistant Organist
Employer: Newcastle Cathedral
Year left Downend Post 16 Centre: 2003
Favourite memory of Downend Post 16 Centre: The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the Post 16 centre. Card games at lunchtime! I had a wonderful three years as sixth-former.
Comments: After leaving Downend I read music at Oxford University for three years, and then spent a year on the music staff of Guildford Cathedral. Having not had enough of being a student, I studied Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, and graduated from the MA course in July 2009. I'm now in charge of the Girls' Choir at Newcastle Cathedral.
Helen Jane Smith
Qualifications: BA (Hons) joint drama and Irish studies
University: St Mary's
JobTitle: Private tutor/ Head steward
Employer: Royal Albert Hall
Year left Downend Post 16 Centre: 1998
Favourite memory of Downend Post 16 Centre: Performing as Lady Macbeth in the school's production of Macbeth.
Comments: Studied at St Mary's and gained BA (Hons) in drama and Irish studies. Have travelled the middle East, Thailand and Turkey. Currently settled in London; have bought own house and set up own business. Due to get married to Jose, a professional Flautist from Cuba, next May.
Jaleelah Galbraith
Qualifications: BA (Hons) drama and English
University: UWE
JobTitle: Actor
Year left Downend Post 16 Centre: 2002
Favourite memory of Downend Post 16 Centre: The choir tour to Holland and Germany in 2001 and the Year 13 Summer Ball. Generally sixth form was a brilliant, busy and fun 2 years.
Comments: Gained BA (Hons) drama and English at UWE. Was member of their centre for performing arts, course rep and editor of campus paper. Studied acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY the summer after I graduated from UWE. Turned professional last November after training at The Rep College in Reading. Currently living in London, working as an actor.
