In The Spotlight: Grace Brady

Tell us about what you do now. Has your time at the school influenced your life today?

I am currently in my first year of my Undergraduate degree at University College London (UCL), reading  BSc(Hons) Psychology and Language Science. Alongside this, I also now work for the charity Children with Cancer UK  as a Business Development Advisor, dealing with the progression of large campaigns and projects and the administration that comes with this. My time at school heavily influenced my lifestyle now as having such an immersive and busy school life has taught me valuable lessons or organisation and discipline to make sure my university workload, as well as work and playing sport is manageable. It also gave me the courage and confidence to do, and take opportunities that may have felt out of my comfort zone or my capabilities.  

Tell us about your time at BMS. Do you have any special memories you would like to share?

My time at BMS was great. I was involved in most things and found it very enjoyable and enriching. Some of my favourite memories are those of trips including our senior sports tour to Scotland and our Geography trip to China. These trips were filled with fun, laughter and interacting with people who you may usually not be with as much.  

Who was someone from your time at BMS who had an impact on you and why?

There were so may people who influenced my time at BMS. The sports department were consistent through my whole 11 years at BMS as always being a place of support and a place that provided a break from the sometimes stressful elements of academic life. In my senior years at the school, Helen Kelly and John White played a particular role. They were always two people, again, who provided unfailing and consistent support but also encouraged me to push myself and achieve what I was capable of. I would not be in the place I am in now without the support and the opportunities that they pushed me to go for.  

What do you do like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I am still a keen sports woman. I play hockey at Hampstead and Westminster Hockey Club, play tennis socially at UCL and I still continue to run regularly after running two marathons in April. I decided to run both the Brighton Marathon and the London Marathon, in the space of three weeks, during my year off, in aid of Children with Cancer UK, personally raising over £1000. I ran a time of 4 hours and 22 minutes, and 4 hours 36 minutes respectively, coming 7th in the U20 girls in Brighton. I managed to train alongside playing hockey, as well as working full time 6 days a week and skiing at the peak point of my training, taking a more relaxed approach than some others! I had two very difference experiences of the races but had an overall feeling of enjoyment and joy at both! I am very proud of what I achieved and would definitely aim to do another one in the future. On a more academic note, in my spare time at University, I am part of various societies including the Behavioural Innovations society, Women in Finance Society and the Law for All society.  

What advice would you give to your younger self?

The advice I would give to my younger self would be to try new things all the time, and with this take any opportunity that comes your way. I would also say to try not to sweat the small stuff and see the bigger picture on things more!  

Are there any other thoughts you would like to share with the OBM and BMS community?

I am grateful to have a large and long standing support network of OBMs who will support any achievements of mine, but who will also be of help and support in the future if ever required.