Emily Whitley
Emily Whitley
Old Bedalian 2006

Have you undertaken any kind of further study since leaving Bedales and have you gained any further qualifications?

After my gap year I went to Plymouth University to study Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, coming out with a BSc (Hons) 2:2 in 2010.  I graduated in December 2013 from the University of Birmingham with a Masters (Merit) in Biological Recording. This was a part-time course done over three years (2010-2013). 

What kind of work are you currently involved in, and how and why have you come to be doing it?

Since February 2013 I have been working as a full time Assistant Ecologist with a consultancy called Ecology Solutions near Royston, Hertfordshire. During my masters I did two seasons working as a Seasonal Field Ecologist with Ecology Solutions which is how I came to work here full time. Work involves surveying for newts, reptiles, bats, badgers and other wildlife and complying reports on our findings. It is an interesting job.

Have you been involved in any other interesting activities or occupations since leaving school?

Whilst I was at university I joined an amazing sport called Underwater Hockey aka Octopush, a team sport played using snorkels, masks and fins at the bottom of a swimming pool using a weighted puck and short pushers (sticks). The aim is to get the puck into the goal on the other side of the pool. I was Ladies’ Captain, Vice Captain of the first team and eventually president of the Plymouth University Octopush Club, winning the University Nationals in my 2nd and 3rd year. Since leaving university I have played at an international level representing GB in the Ladies’ U23 team in 2011 and also a number of national teams including Dunstable and Dublin.