Family Ties

Former pupil, Georgie Hodsoll, came back recently to visit the school and have lunch with Mr Hooke, and also to register her stepson with our Admissions team. She joined Harrodian in the Lower Prep and left in 2005, nearly fourteen years ago, after completing her GCSEs. Her two younger sisters, Esme and Isla, also studied at Harrodian and a strong family connection was forged. After Harrodian, Georgie gained A Levels in History, History of Art, Philosophy and Art at Collingham Sixth Form College, but decided to go straight into the world of work rather than study further at university. She travelled and worked extensively in Northern California and Nepal, gained a qualification in Cordon Bleu cookery in Paris and also worked alongside a jewellery designer in Central London. Acquiring an interest in furniture from her father, who is a well-known antiques furniture dealer, Georgie was determined to pursue a career in this field. After years of hard work and building a network of contacts, she is now the proud owner of a two-storey furniture and home decor shop on Lillie Road in Fulham. The furniture on offer is an eclectic mix of mainly mid twentieth-century but is mainly mid-century (not antique) pieces, some of which can be upcycled or made to order. Georgie has very fond memories of her time at the School and her best friends are still those that she made at Harrodian. She attributes her appreciation of the arts and aesthetics (essential in her career) to her family and their shared interest in design, but also to growing up in the beautiful surroundings of Harrodian. For more information please view Georgie’s website: www.georgianahodsolldesign.com or visit her shop, Georgie Hodsoll, at 307 Lillie Road.

‘Taylor-made’ Success

Four years ago we said goodbye to former Harrodian, Ed Taylor, as he ventured off on his gap year to train as a ski instructor. This term he made a surprise guest appearance at our Senior Sports Day where we were able to catch up with all his news. Ed first joined Harrodian in PP1 and is an inspiring success story. He suffers from dyslexia and found his formative school years really hard. He says that he struggled to fulfil his potential at Common Entrance and GCSE. However, a winning combination of help from his teachers, the non-judgemental nature of Harrodian and the amazing Learning Support team (in particular his teacher Nick Welz, who is still with us!) ensured he never gave up. It all changed for Ed during his A Level studies which enabled him to narrow his academic focus and to concentrate on just three subjects that he particularly enjoyed: Geography, Graphic Design and Business Studies. He gained two A*s and an A and went on to read Geography and Marketing at the University of Exeter, where he graduated this summer with a First. He is now starting an internship over the summer with an advertising agency and is hoping to find a more permanent marketing role in the autumn. However, it is Ed’s drive and his positive mindset that are most impressive. As a university student, he not only pursued his love of football by setting up a winning local league, but he also committed to a part- time marketing job with Red Bull during his final year. He managed to balance this with his academic work and socialising, but it did mean that he had to be incredibly disciplined. He accredits his strong work ethic to his dyslexia, which he now sees as a gift – one that made him have to work harder than most of his peers. Now that he has experienced university in comparison to school, Ed says that he can better appreciate the special environment at Harrodian and in particular its warm, welcoming and all- inclusive atmosphere.