Helen Morris
Q. Your name?
Helen Morris
Q. Your school?
Guildford High School for Girls
Q. Your current occupation?
National Brand Manager for TK Maxx
Q. Your favourite subject at school?
English & History of Art
Q. Your best and worst memory of your school days?
Worst – maths classes where I didn’t understand what was going on and couldn’t understand the point of learning equations. If only I’d known then that I’d go on to work with big budgets and analysis! Walking back from swimming classes and with wet hair, smelling of chlorine!
Best – Getting my GCSE results and realising that I was as clever as everyone else around me. Being part of the county champions gym team and the recognition that won me at such an academic school. Studying History of Art A-Level with a quirky and lively teacher and wonderful trips to Venice and Florence that have given me a deep and genuine passion for art.
Q. What or who inspired you to follow your career?
I decided on my career in Marketing while on a Greyhound bus in Oz on my post Uni gap year! My first boss was really inspiring, a bit of a rule breaker, but a great natural people manager and very innovative. My family gave me the confidence and support to be successful and go for what you want; they also showed me the importance of doing something you’re naturally good at and care about.
Q. What do you feel you gained by attending a girls’ only school?
I made some life-long friends who I still see regularly and we laugh a lot about all our school stories, to this day. We have a wonderful bond and understanding of each other having been through all the same experiences. I’m also convinced that I owe my good results to staying at a single sex school. I was a very sociable person who liked to rebel in my own small ways at school, but truth be known I would have been terribly distracted if we’d had boys at school – they were confined to lunch breaks only!
Q. Any advice for parents choosing a school for their daughter?
Treat them as an individual rather than a sibling. Make sure the academic level is right, but also stretching – I’ve learnt you definitely raise your game when you’re surrounded by people stronger than you. The extra curricular side is so important, girl’s schools have great sports teams and drama groups that give the less academic a chance to thrive and have fun. Finally, if you can, pick a girl’s school that is near a good boy’s school – that way they get the both worlds!
Q. Any advice for girls planning their university and/or career choices?
Take some time out either before or after Uni – if you’re a career motivated person you’ll embark on your journey soon enough and then there’s no stopping. The big decision with Uni is campus or not – do you like to be part of a pack and share lots in common with those around you, or do you prefer to be more independent? The second most important thing is your choice of accommodation – this will shape you and your social life at Uni. Halls all have different ‘personality traits’ e.g. the sporty one, the social one. I shared a flat with 7 other girls and I’m still friends with many of them today. You do not need a private bathroom, there are so many funny stories you’ll gain from shared bathrooms, it’s one of life’s shaping experiences!
Q. Any other comments you would like to make?
I made some life-long friends who I still see regularly and we laugh a lot about all our school stories, to this day. We have a wonderful bond and understanding of each other having been through all the same experiences. I’m also convinced that I owe my good results to staying at a single sex school. I was a very sociable person who liked to rebel in my own small ways at school, but truth be known I would have been terribly distracted if we’d had boys at school – they were confined to lunch breaks only!
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