Charlotte Dale (2015) left The Abbey to study Classics at UCL. Charlotte now works for the Civil Service Fast Stream (an accelerated leadership programme) within Human Resources. 

 

1. When did you leave The Abbey and what are you doing now?

I left The Abbey in 2015 and went on to study Classics at UCL. During the summer holidays, I interned at a range of Public Relations (PR) and Communications firms and after applying for what seemed like an infinite amount of jobs, I joined a consumer PR firm in Southwark a few weeks after graduating.

I decided this wasn’t for me so I applied again to the Civil Service Fast Stream (an accelerated leadership programme) and moved to a financial PR firm in the City while I waited to hear if I was successful in gaining a place on the Fast Stream.

The Civil Service supports the government of the day in delivering public services as well as helping it to develop and implement its policies. I was lucky to join the Civil Service on their Fast Stream in September 2019 on their Human Resources (HR) scheme. Since joining, I have worked in the Ministry of Justice, the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Test and Trace.

I now work in the Home Office. My current role is a HR Business Partner to a project delivery function in Border Force which looks after the front-line technical services which keep the country safe; from terrorist and nuclear threats at one extreme to facilitating VIP passenger arrivals at the other. 

It involves helping Senior Civil Servants with all their People issues – from recruitment and wellbeing through to organisation design and learning and development. 

This is my last placement before completing the Fast Stream where I hope to go on to secure a permanent role in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at a government department.

 

2. What do you miss the most about The Abbey? 

I miss the people the most! I miss being able to see my friends everyday and I think it’s something you can easily take for granted when it’s what you’re used to. 

My friends from The Abbey are truly friends for life and I am so grateful that I was able to find such supportive, fun and caring friends who have continued to play a huge role in my life even after school. 

Additionally, I miss the incredible support you receive from the teachers who are always happy to help, even when you’ve left The Abbey as a pupil. Their genuine care for you, both academically and personally, is something I will never forget! 

I also miss the support staff who ensure The Abbey is able to run as smoothly as it does. They were always so friendly and make The Abbey such a great place to be. 

Finally, I miss having lunch on a Friday in the Sixth Form centre – the chicken wraps and pizza were the best! 

 

3. What would you say is your biggest achievement? 

Volunteering is something I’ve been interested in since completing the CAS element of the IB. As well as being involved in various outreach projects at work, I volunteer with a range charities, such as the Social Mobility Foundation, which seeks to equal the playing field when it comes to social mobility in the UK and involves mentoring a Sixth Form student from a lower socioeconomic background. 

I also volunteer for South London Cares, a charity which aims to tackle loneliness among the elderly. I am involved in their Love Your Neighbour scheme which matches a younger person and an older person together from the same area to meet regularly and aims to bridge the generation gap, fight loneliness and ultimately create new friendships. 

Whether it’s seeing your mentee secure their dream job or getting a text from your new friend to say how much they appreciate your company, it feels great to know you’re helping others. 

 

4. What advice would you give to current students?

Don’t be afraid to be confident or take a risk. I was set on studying A Levels in Sixth Form but after a chat with Mr Fanning on GCSE results day, he persuaded me that the IB was the right choice for me. 

Completing the IB was one of the best things I’ve done (even if it involved some friendly rivalry with the A Level girls) and I truly believe it’s shaped who I am today. 

The experience taught me to not shut off other opportunities just because you think you won’t be able to do them – you have