Hall of Fame
News of Former Grange Students
Chris Carver
Hello
I attended The Grange School, as it was then, between 1977 and 1982. Through my own stupidity I made a mess of my A levels but re-took them in 1985 and went on to successfully qualify as a maths teacher.
The final two years of university were hard because I developed cancer and spent twelve months in and out of hospital having chemotherapy and operations ... still managed to pass though but while applying for teaching jobs all over the country I developed cancer again. During the six months recuperation I began freelance writing for a couple of national music magazines and never returned to teaching.
During my time at Grange I represented the school in cross country running and enjoyed it so much that I continue as a runner to this day. With far more success. I'm now an international athlete and in May 2010 I represented GB at the World 24 Hour Running Championships in Brive, France. The GB team were awarded a bronze medal. The previous September saw me represent England at the inaugural Commonwealth 24 Hour Running Championships where I finished fifth overall with 231 km (143 miles).
Also, in May 2009, I raised well over £2000 for a cancer charity by running non-stop from my home in Otley to Trafalgar Square in London. I completed the 218 miles in 46 hours.
Mr Thompson - the head teacher - was a big influence with regards to my running. His enthusiasm knew no limits and he encouraged us all equally whatever our ability.
My website is www.thoughtsofanultrarunner.blogspot.com
Chris Carver
SallyAnn Bates
My name is Sallyann Bates and I am an ex-pupil of Grange School. I was known then as Sallyann Adams. I left Grange in 1996 with no qualifications due to my family life. I went on to have a son in 1997, who is now 12. I can't believe how fast the time has gone.
I enjoyed my time at Grange School and I would like to thank Ms Jelfs and Mr Burluraux for their wonderful support at time when my life wasn't always easy. I went to college in 2002 with an aim to gain the qualifications that I always felt were missing in life. I left college in 2005 with 3 A levels in English, IT and History. I began a degree in English that September at the University of Lincoln and I graduated in 2008 with a 2:1. I was extremely proud and decided to pursue a secret dream of mine to become a writer. I started by doing an MA in Creative Writing, which should be finished just before Christmas 2009. I intend to complete a PhD next and teach at university to fund my writing. I have also recently started work on my debut novel, which is very exciting, although a little scary.
I just want to tell anyone who has ever felt worthless or useless to never give up. Anything is possible if you want it and you work hard enough.
Sal Bates
Uzma Kazi
"Hi. My name is Uzma Kazi. I am currently in my final year of BA(Hons) Theatre and Performance Design at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.I left Grange Technology College in 2004 after completing my A Levels with a keen interest in the creative arts. I completed the all important one-year Art Foundation course at Leeds College of Art & Design, pursuing my interest further in the 3D Art & Craft area. This has led me into Theatre Design as my specialism, which involves designing sets, costumes and lighting for performance related arts."
Here are some pictures of Uzma's theatre designs:
Photography by Uzma Kazi
Andrea Greenwood
"I left Grange in 1989 for a job in retail management. Since then I have qualified as a nurse and am now working in primary school and studying for degree in early years."
Osman Ahmed
"I left Grange in 1995, and have been living & working in Singapore for BT for the past 6 months. I work as a Sales Specialist."
Nazia Kazi
"I left Grange in 2003, having completed A Levels in politics, literature and sociology.
I went on to study Law at the University of Bradford and completed the degree in 2006 with a 2:1 Hons degree."
Since then I have worked at a number of law firms in the region and am now a trainee Citizenship teacher. I am also an Independent Visitor in conjunction with Barnardos and do lots of work with young children in the area.
Adam Malik
"I left Grange in 2003. I am now working for the Royal Bank Of Scotland as a Customer Service Associate. I am also linked to Grange and help with sponsorship and careers advice."
Julekha Motara
"I left GTC in 2004 - went to University of Bradford where I graduated in July 2007 with a 1st Class Bsc Honours Degree in Economics. I enrolled on the PGCE Secondary Mathematics Course in September 2007 and this is what I'm doing now and hopefully will be a qualified and teaching maths in a secondary school from September 2008."
Nadia Mahmood
"I left Grange in 1993 after completing my A levels. I later finished my academic career with a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Huddersfield. My career has since developed from a sales specialist in scientific instrumentation to a Training Coordinator at GlaxoSmithKline and now as a Project Manager for an IT Software Developer Company in Hampton Court, London. It's been a fun ride so far and can only move up."
Mohammad Ayaz
"I graduated from grange in 2005 after passing my A-Levels.Since then I have done quite a lot of things - I currently study at The University Of Bradford, studying Industrial Design Technology or Product design as it will now be called. While studying I have had a trip back to Grange with the University during science week in 2006 where the students built Hovercrafts and raced each other with them.I am also part of the Bradford Keighley Youth Parliament, and am now a senior Member of the Youth Parliament. Highlights have been sitting in the council chambers, helping to run the Youth Parliament public meetings with the councillors, and getting to go to the Recent Indian International Film Awards.Some of my best memories at Grange were when we went to Barcelona and had a great laugh with Mr Evans! Grange was a major stepping stone for me and has helped me become the person I am and I would like to thank friends family and all the staff of Grange Technology College."
Arfan Rashid
Left in 2002 - now working as a Medical Scientist and wants to thank the staff, especially the mentors, for helping him to settle down and set him on the road to a successful career.
Salma Begum
"I am currently working at Grange Technology College as a Learning Support Assistant; this is something I enjoy as I help other to progress with their learning.
I would firstly like to pay tribute to my father (god rest his soul) who passed away in 2006. He always taught me to always believe in myself and to never give up, stay on the right path and ignore any negative vibes and always stay true to yourself. He taught me that education was a tool in life, and not to abuse it but to use it as a positive tool as it would help you as an individual and become a better person. He taught me the four D's which I try and follow throughout my life. DESIRE - to fulfil your destiny and to believe in ones self. DEVOTION - Having a passion to what you do and believing in yourself. DEDICATION - To work hard and not let others bitterness ruin you happiness. DISCIPLINE - To stay focused on the task set, your strengths are those who keep you focused.
As a student here in 1996 to 1999 I was also always given encouragement by ALL staff here at Grange Technology College. With their help I gained 6 GCSE's, a BTEC National Diploma in Child Care (early years practitioner) with a Merit and BA Honours in Sociology Social Psychology Grade 2.2 in 2005.
I would like to thank staff members for their support and encouragement and making me feel welcome and part of the team here at Grange Technology College, past and present they are:
Mr Thompson, Mr Player, Mr Burluraux, Mr Burgess, Mr D Parkinson, Mr R Mitchell, N.Khatoon, N.Khalid, Mr S Evans, Mr D Radcliffe, Mrs Din, Mrs T Flemming, Mrs D Fletcher, Mrs V Slade, the Year Heads and the Year Head Managers. All support staff for making me part of the team Mrs Nellis and Mrs Jelfs (who used to teach me for English and the late Mr Martin who was a wonderful teacher whose lessons were always enjoyable and fun), and the many more staff at Grange Technology College. Working alongside such great people makes me feel part of a team and I am learning new things everyday.
Believe in yourself, say you can do it, and it will happen, dreams do come true when you believe in yourself! Don't give up; being positive always brings out a positive outcome."
Ben Mulhall
"Just thought I'd let you know where I'm at, 2 years after leaving school.
Since leaving school I have had several jobs including Provident Financial Management Services Plc where I worked in the customer contact centre as a senior customer services co-ordinator.
I am now a civil servant for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs dealing with council tax ratings in the Valuation Office, I nearly get as many holidays as I did at Grange!
I'm also a volunteer for Children and Young People's Services in Bradford, I've been volunteering for nearly two years now.
Thank you to all staff at Grange, especially Selina Gough and Steve Evans, you're both stars!"
Saima Sabir
I left what was known as The Grange School in 1998 and headed to Brunel University, Middlesex to study Politics & Contemporary History. University life is a fantastic experience and this is where you make your life friends (never believed anyone when they said this but it's sooo true)!
Graduated in 2002 and got a fantastic job with a Japanese company called NEC in Slough. I have been with the company for 6 years and work as a snr project engineer in the mobile telecommunication infrastructure. I am a keen golfer at NEC and aim to reduce my handicap this year!
I still have a passion for politics and have continued to get involved where possible. Presently I am involved in local politics in Windsor where I live and look forward to standing for council in the near future.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time as school and believe it has made me the person I am today. So for this I am eternally grateful for all the support & help I received from my teachers in particular Mr Thompson (former head teacher); Mr Burluraux (maths); Mr Lawson politics); Mrs Piper (6th form tutor) & lots more....
Picture is from Sydney Harbour Bridge, travelled through south east Asia and east coast Oz in 06.
Memorable moment there was diving the barrier reef!
Saleem Ahmed
I attended Grange between 1972 and 1977. I went on to study at Bradford College. I studied Law at the University of East Anglia and qualified as a solicitor with a law firm in East Sussex in 1986. I was in practice for 12 years during which time I was a partner with a Leicester firm. I was on the Law Society's Committee for Employment Law. In 1998 I was appointed as an Employment Judge ( then called Chairmen of Employment Tribunals). in Birmingham where I worked for 9 years. These days I am based in Leicester. I am one of a small group of Judges from the ethnic minorities.
Mr Thompson was the Headmaster during my days in Grange. He was in many ways an inspirational figure. I have happy memories of Grange. It was a very competitive enviroment with some very bright pupils. I am sure they will all have done very well. I wish the current students of Grange every success. It is only through education that we can banish irrational fears and prejudice and it is primarily through education that we can improve the lives of others.
We love hearing about our past students, and if you want to be part of our Hall of Fame please send your details - name, when you left, what you are doing now, ideally with a photo, to Wendy Beaumont at wbeaumont@grangetc.org.uk
