Anya Holdsworth, a Sixth Form student at Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle, has had the unusual experience of coming face-to-face with her younger self – just before picking up her A Level results. 

In 2012, Anya was one of a pair of pupils chosen to star in an ad campaign to promote the newly opened Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, now a thriving school in the Hunter’s Moor area of Newcastle. Aged just 7, Anya took to the camera like a pro, with her image – strikingly surrounded by digital scaffolding – featured across the North East on print and TV ads. 

“My Mum once followed a bus that had my face on the advert on the back, she was so proud!” recalls Anya. “It was such a strange and fun experience seeing my face all over Newcastle, I remember sitting in the makeup chair getting ready for the photo shoot, it was so exciting. I’m proud to have represented Dame Allan’s.”

Now 18, Anya has recently completed her final year of study, having completed all of her schooling through Dame Allan’s – from Nursery, through to Sixth Form. As Anya posed with the banner that was used in the ad campaign all those years ago, she reflected back on her time at Dame Allan’s:

“Looking at my young self, it really hits me how much I have done since that image was taken. For example, back then I couldn’t play the flute, and now  I have recently achieved my Grade 8. I’ve succeeded in my GCSEs, and now I’m waiting for my A Level results!”

“If I could speak to my younger self, I’d tell her to focus on what she enjoys doing, not just what she thought she ‘should’ do. Dame Allan’s has been fantastic in supporting all sides of me, encouraging my passion for music alongside my academic interest in science. I took three STEM subjects at A Level, and was never made to feel like I should be prioritising that over my musical interests, everyone was so supportive.”

Anya, who recently volunteered to mentor young attendees at Dame Allan’s STEM Week event, is planning on studying an Integrated Masters in Chemistry at the University of Sheffield, as well as exploring her interests in travel and music.