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| Nicola Flecknell - left 1996 | |
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What was happening in your life at the time you left Cedars? When I left Cedars, life was pretty low for me. I felt very lost, upset, hadn't got a clue about what to do with my life, parents just got divorced, granddad died; felt like I didnt fit in with anything or with anyone. But I was good at Art, I enjoyed it and it was my salvation! During your time at Cedars, did you have any idea what you wanted to do next? At Cedars, I was into Art and Languages. Although I was quite good at learning languages I wasn't very confident at all with using them and I didn't go on any exchanges as my parents didn't allow me to go Maybe if I'd been able to make more use of these opportunities my life may have been different today. I would say that making the most of every opportunity is a very important influence in shaping who you are and what you want to be. Life changed a lot from listening to my parents and teachers advice although it took a while for the advice to take action or be relevant. What actually happened next? I left A Levels with grades B, C, A and D and went to work as an accounts clerk in Milton Keynes which was the most boaring and soulless thing for me to do. I hated maths, and at 19 working in an office number crunching with a group of 40 year old men was awful and to say the very least, gave me no incentive to stay. I wished I could go to university but really worried if i'd fit in with university life or even if I could afford it. I took the plunge and went to university, first Oxford Brooks for 1 year to study french with education which transpired after 7 months as the course wasn't right for me and I was struggling financially, before I reapplied to a second university, Derby which saw me through my early twenties. The first year being the best year of my life... followed by lots of work. What was your first real job? My first REAL job if I don't count, working in a grocers, safeway and a petshop was as a primary school teacher in Derby. Needless to say I trained to teach. Although leaving the confort of university was a huge shock, I found the teaching career was working out well. Although I went into primary teaching which I enjoyed in the main, I felt the job fitted in fairly well with my lifestyle, goals and ambitions, something wasn't quite right. I moved around the country alot with the job which was another plus to teaching and taught every year group in many primary schools. Looking back I went every where I wanted to go and I could have gone anywhere in the world I wanted with the career and I still could! I would say that having any work experience is just as relevant as a qualification and jobs in themselves can take you any where you want to go. What did that lead to? Teaching in Derby, Nottingham, Peterborough, London and now back to Bedfordshire! Once you have found a pathway that seems to go right for you ... you can then take the path where you want it to go. University is one way of moving yourself on but getting into a good firm with opportunities is another. What are you doing now? I am Head of Art, teaching a subject I thoroughly enjoy and have recently started my own business as a sideline making tiaras, veils, jewellery, fascinators... etc.... The teaching is very rewarding but having finally found something that really makes me tick, I have also found a hobby and interest that I can do as a sideline which also gives me great satisfaction. What's next for you? Do you have any plans for the future? I aim to continue as I am... I have no major calling for travelling overseas although for some this is very important and if working overseas became an opportunity I would certainly give it a go! I am happy as I am for the moment. I aim to be the best teacher I can be and maintain a successful business. Another bonus should I plan a family, the career and business both fit in very well with that prospect which is something I didn't think about when I took up the career. What is the best piece of advice you were ever given? Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst and expect nothing. Hoping for the best also means aim high, be prepared for the worst also means ride the storms and expect nothing means make the most of every opportunity. Above all opportunities don't always come looking for you, sometimes you have to put yourself out there take a risk and only then do things start to develop and move on! What advice would you give to a Cedars student getting ready for the future? I would advise Cedars students to be proud of who they are and how well they have done so far, to believe in their own abilities. A teacher at Cedars once said to me don't ever doubt how well you've done or how good you are as once you get out into the world you'll be surprised how good you'll be. The standards are very good at Cedars you have an excellent start and where you go from there is up to you! Be brave, take risks, and thrive. Back to home |
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