Career Talks – Dr Joanna Redmond & Mr van der Sande

We have recently held two lunchtime careers talks open to all age groups. Last week parent Dr Joanna Redmond described her career and work in science and on Monday we heard from governor Mr Kees van der Sande about his work as an architect. The student careers leaders wrote these reports:

We were delighted to welcome Dr Joanna Redmond, Head of Chemical Biology at the Francis Crick Centre, to speak to students as part of our Careers in STEM programme.

Dr Redmond gave a fascinating talk about her work developing chemical tools to explore complex biology and support clinical translation. She shared her career journey from studying Chemistry at Oxford and Imperial to leading cutting-edge research both at GSK and the Francis Crick Institute.

It was a truly inspiring session, particularly for students considering careers in science, research, or medicine. Dr Redmond’s insight into the world of chemical biology and the impact it can have on real-world health challenges was both eye-opening and motivating.

by Ava N and Jessica T, Year 12 Student Careers Leaders

Mr van der Sande, a Director at Formation Architects, recently visited our school to deliver a talk about his career. During the presentation, he shared design sketches and annotated plans from his projects, showing us how buildings develop from concept to structure. His company works with many high-end interior designers, so some of the finished buildings were very striking. Additionally, he explained how location influences each design and how technology has become a major advantage, allowing for greater creativity and precision. Overall, his talk was both inspiring and informative, giving us a deeper understanding of modern architecture and design.

by Isabella N, Year 11 Student Careers Leader 

A huge thank you to both Dr Redmond and Mr van der Sande for taking the time to speak with us and for offering such valuable advice and encouragement.