When Charlotte left school, she was excited to explore the world beyond Cumbria. At 18, she packed her bags and headed to Royal Holloway, University of London, where she studied, joined the drama society and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She said “yes” to as many opportunities as she could — in true Stannite style. Her encouragement to current pupils was simple:
be open, be brave, and take opportunities when they come your way.

After university, Charlotte completed a TV and Film Diploma and began applying for jobs. Her first break almost slipped away when another candidate was chosen - but a few weeks later she received a call to say the role was available after all. Soon she was working in a London recording studio, coordinating actors, producers and sound engineers on audiobook recordings, including Harry Potter with Stephen Fry, and meeting authors such as Michael Bond. It was here she learned an important lesson:
sometimes “no” really means “not yet”.

Two years later, ready for change, Charlotte moved into TV drama at ITV. She began as a PA, a role that wasn’t glamorous but proved to be a valuable route into the industry. She spoke about the importance of entry-level roles such as runners, apprenticeships, and work experience - especially with organisations like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky - as excellent ways to learn, network and gain real insight into the sector. She also encouraged our pupils to look locally, with many productions filming right here in the Lake District.

One particularly meaningful project involved researching the life of Mo Mowlam, a central figure in the Northern Ireland peace process. Charlotte travelled to Belfast, interviewed people who knew her, and helped ensure the story was accurately represented. The drama went on to receive significant recognition, and Charlotte found herself at the BAFTAs, with Julie Walters acknowledging her contribution during the awards speech.

Charlotte’s story is one of curiosity, resilience and the confidence to say “yes”. It highlights how diverse and unexpected career paths can be, and how skills built at Windermere School — independence, creativity and courage — stay with our pupils long after they leave.

We are incredibly proud of Charlotte and all our Stannites, and we are grateful to her for sharing her inspiring journey with us.