In the latest in our series of reminiscences from recent leavers, Lauren Bould (OQ 2012) talks us through her journey from Queenswood’s Sixth Form, where she was Head Girl, via a Languages degree at Newnham College, Cambridge, to a stellar career in Investment Banking.

Sixth Form at Queenswood gave me the opportunities to build the foundations for my higher education aspirations and helped pave the way for my career path to date. After opening my GCSE results letter of A*s in the summer, I knew I was in the safest hands heading into my A-Level years! My tutor and teachers at the time spent a lot of time listening to me and helped guide me in my subject choices for A-Levels. They knew I wanted to choose subjects that didn’t close any doors and they offered the very valuable advice to simply study the subjects I enjoyed the most. The teaching staff at Q offered both academic and emotional support during my two Sixth Form years and gave me the confidence to combine my love of languages with Geography and Maths.

From the additional one-to-one preparatory lessons for language modules, to the literature reading and teaching we were offered beyond the A-Level curriculum, as well as the multiple language courses abroad in Spain and France that were organised for us, by the end of Lower Sixth, I knew I had my sights set on Cambridge University to study Modern & Medieval Languages (French & Spanish). Simultaneously, Mr Dobson and the Music Department encouraged me and helped in the preparations for my application for a Choral Scholarship and together with the help of Señora Law, Mrs Renaudon-Smith and the Modern Languages department at Q, I accepted a place at Newnham College, Cambridge to study MML. 

Fast forward to 2022 and after graduating from Cambridge, I had an offer to begin a graduate scheme at J.P. Morgan where I began my investment banking career; this has subsequently led me to Santander Corporate & Investment Bank today. The nurturing and supportive environment of Sixth Form at Q were the two most formative years of my life to date and provided me with support and resources far beyond anything written on paper!