Torquay Girls’ Grammar School (TGGS) marked National Apprenticeship Week by welcoming back three accomplished alumnae, who spoke to current Year 12 and 13 students about the growing range of opportunities available through degree apprenticeships. The session highlighted the breadth of opportunities available beyond the traditional university route and demonstrated the success students can achieve through this increasingly popular pathway.
TGGS welcomed back Bella Vaughan‑Hewings, Alice McNaughton, and Grace Wortley—each now pursuing successful degree apprenticeship routes with leading UK employers. Their engaging and personal accounts offered students a clear insight into how apprenticeships work, how to secure one, and what life is like balancing academic study with real-world professional experience.
Bella Vaughan-Hewings, currently in her first year of a degree apprenticeship with Amazon, spoke about the transition from sixth form to a global technology company and the confidence she has gained through hands-on learning. Former Head Girl Alice McNaughton, who completed her apprenticeship with Siemens Mobility, reflected on her multi‑year journey, the competitive selection process, and the valuable professional skills she gained. Grace Wortley, now in her first year of a degree apprenticeship with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), shared her experience of working within the civil service and contributing to meaningful public‑sector initiatives alongside her academic studies.
Alice McNauton said: ‘It is always wonderful coming back to TGGS to share experiences with current students. It is incredibly important that UK-wide opportunities are shared with students in the South West; I was once sat where these students were today and it really is a full circle moment to share these great opportunities with degree apprentices of the future.’
Ellie Gale, Head of Sixth Form at TGGS said: ‘National Apprenticeship Week serves as a reminder of the diverse and expanding opportunities available to young people today and TGGS is committed to ensuring students can make informed choices about their futures. Alice, Grace and Bella’s visit highlighted not only the strength of the TGGS alumnae community but also the potential of apprenticeships to empower students with valuable skills, financial independence, and pathways to exceptional careers.’