From Leicester High to Oxford — and Beyond: An Alumna’s Journey
We recently caught up with one of our former Head Girls and Headmaster’s Scholars to hear about her journey from Leicester High School for Girls to the University of Oxford — and her exciting next steps working internationally.
Can you tell us about your time at Leicester High School for Girls?
After completing my GCSEs, I joined Leicester High as a Headmaster’s Scholar to study A Levels in English Literature, Spanish and Mathematics. Ever since visiting Oxford at the age of 13, it had been my ambition to study there, and I made the most of every opportunity LHS offered to help me work towards that goal.
During Sixth Form, I was proud to serve as Head Girl, completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and really enjoyed supporting younger pupils within the school community. The teachers were outstanding — their guidance and encouragement played a huge part in helping me achieve A* grades at A Level and secure my place at The Queen’s College, Oxford.
What did you study at university?
I studied Spanish Language and Literature at Oxford, which has a strong focus on literary analysis. My degree involved exploring novels, plays and poetry in depth, alongside developing advanced language skills.
I worked hard to make the most of the opportunity and graduated with a First-Class degree. I was also delighted to achieve the highest marks in my year for both my speaking exam and my dissertation.
What have you been doing since graduating?
After university, I spent some time exploring the right career path for me. I worked for 18 months in the Alumni and Development Office at Merton College, where I had the chance to meet a wide range of influential people, including the Manager of the National Gallery, the Director of MI5 and the Spanish Ambassador.
I’m now really excited to be starting the next chapter of my career in Luxembourg, where I’ll be working at KPMG as an auditor specialising in Real Estate and Infrastructure Funds.
What advice would you give to current Leicester High students?
If you really want something, go for it — even if it feels a bit “out there”. I was once sitting exactly where you are now, and if I can do it, you can too.
And if things don’t work out as planned, trust that it simply wasn’t meant to be. For the perfectionists especially — success isn’t only about working hard. Your mental health matters. Finding balance is a crucial and often overlooked part of the journey, so don’t forget to look after yourselves.