Douglas Mitchell - 2008

Former student, Professor Douglas Mitchell (left in 1968), director of a major regional centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) based in Preston, has been involved in cutting edge research into the disease.

His research team were recently involved in a major breakthrough in the discovery of a new gene in MND. Over 5,000 people are affected by MND. Dr Brian Dickie, director of research at the MND Association said: “This new information will be a springboard to greater understanding of the processes that cause motor neurones to die. It is through such understanding that we will develop the treatment strategies to defeat this devastating disease.”

Katy Rothwell - 2008

Our congratulations to 21 year old Katy Rothwell who studied A-levels at BRGS and who starred as a dancer in The Lowry Theatre’s annual pantomime. She shared that stage with Darren Day, Chesney Hawkes and ex-Emmerdale actor, Frazer Hines. Katy hopes to further her dancing career and finishes her third year at Phil Winston’s Theatre Works drama school at the end of August.

Lynne Wallace - 2008

Lynne Wallace (left 1988) wrote the highly successful FreeToDo Travel Guide UK with her husband, Ronald. Spurred on by its success, they plan to release FreeToDo France and FreeToDo Italy during 2008.

Lynne studied for her degree at Edinburgh University and “the idea started in 2002 as a one-page website on Edinburgh’s free admission attractions. Over the next couple of years the website grew to cover the whole of the UK, due to contributions from councils, tourist boards and the general public.”

Peter Hargreaves - 2007

Peter Hargreaves left in 2004 and has graduated with First Class Honours in physics from the University of Manchester. He was awarded the Platt Prize for theoretical and experimental work carried out in the final year and he is currently studying for a PGCE in secondary physics teaching, doing his school placements at BRGS!

Ben Kay - 2007

Ben Kay, former Alder Grange and BRGS student, has been selected to work for the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois to carry out research in the States for at least two years as a nuclear physicist. Ben is currently finishing a PhD in nuclear physics at the University of Manchester where he also studied for his degree and masters.

Emelye Davis - 2007

Congratulations to Emelye Davis (left 2001), former Whitworth High School and BRGS student, who is studying for an MA at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland. Emelye exhibited a collection of her work, including a glass sculpture of a town centre at the Biscuit Factory Gallery in Newcastle.

Rachel Edwards - June 2007

Rachel Edwards who studied at BRGS from 1991 – 1996 has been welcomed as a member of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh by Vice-President Professor Peter Brunt OBE.

Rachel qualified with first class honours in medicine at Aberdeen University and is completing a senior house office training post in medicine at Edinburgh Royal Hospital. She will begin a specialist training post in anaesthetics at Edinburgh in August.

Christopher Priestley - May 2007

Christropher Priestley has been awarded the Astra-Zeneca Bursary which is worth £1000 per year throughout an undergraduate course. Christopher is currently studying Chemistry at Liverpool University. Read press release: "Scholar wins top bursary"

John Cahill - 2007

John Cahill, former student from 1995-1997 and former Head Boy, has been voted top ‘City
Young Gun’ sell-side analyst for the 2007 Cantos Young Gun Awards. John is a real estate equity analyst at KBC Peel Hunt.

The awards profile the finest of the UK’s City talent from a pool of under-35s. Our congratulations go to John who received the majority vote over nine other analysts from around the City, including Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse and ABN Amro.

Emily Grimshaw- 2007

Emily Grimshaw, who left BRGS in 2006 is already making her mark in the interior design world, being named student designer of the year by the national magazine Concept for Living. Emily has completed her foundation studies to earn a place on an interior design degree course at Manchester Metropolitan University. Read press article about Emily

Graham Butler - 2006

Graham Butler, former student who left BRGS in 2004 is due to start at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September 2006. We look forward to him appearing in films and taking the lead role in productions in the near future. Read case study on Graham here

Ian Taylor - 2006

Ian Taylor studied at BRGS from 1986 – 1993 and went on to study Biochemistry at Nottingham. Ian spent 6 years working for an insurance company and writes: “Insurance is good for the bank balance but not so good for the soul and so after my Mum died in 1999 I decided to follow my heart and go back to University to study medicine.”

Congratulations to Ian on graduating from Warwick Medical School coming second out of his cohort of 135 students. We wish him well as he starts his job in the A&E department at Warwick Hospital.

Joel Heap - 2005

Joel Heap (at BRGS 1986 – 1993) was named Lawyer of the Year at the Young Professionals Awards 2005 in Manchester. Joel is a commercial litigation partner at law firm Cobbetts in Manchester and at the age of 29 in November 2004, became the firm’s youngest partner in over 20 years.

Sean Serridge - 2005

Sean Serridge (at BRGS 1995 – 2002), became the youngest county councillor at County Hall in Preston when he was elected to represent Whitworth as a Labour councillor.

Lily Cooper - 2004

Congratulations to BRGS student, Lily Cooper, who has been awarded a prestigious place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.