Gabrielle Joyce (Class of 2021)

Former Head Girl Gabrielle Joyce has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

Since leaving The Crossley Heath School in 2021, Gabrielle has graduated with First-Class Honours in Politics and International Relations from Newcastle University, worked in Parliament, completed a placement at NATO Headquarters in Brussels and has now secured a place on the prestigious MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy at the University of Oxford.

But behind the impressive CV is a story of determination, resilience and a passion for making opportunities more accessible for others.

Looking back...

Reflecting on her time at Crossley Heath, Gabrielle credits the school with broadening her horizons and giving her the confidence to pursue opportunities she never thought were possible.

"I truly believe that my time at Crossley Heath played a huge role in shaping the person I am today."

She remembers forming lifelong friendships, being inspired by teachers including Mrs Doig, Mrs Todde-Wilson, Mr Hirst and representing the school in netball throughout her time here.

A journey into politics

After studying Politics and International Relations at Newcastle University, Gabrielle immersed herself in university life, becoming President of the university's largest sports club, co-authoring research presented in Parliament and taking on internships that ultimately shaped her career.

She went on to work as a Parliamentary Intern for Kate Dearden (Halifax MP) before securing a role within NATO's Public Diplomacy Division at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, creating digital communications that reach millions of people across NATO member states.

Oxford... and a wider conversation

Earlier this year, Gabrielle received an offer to study for an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy at the University of Oxford.

The moment was particularly meaningful because it marked the culmination of a long and sometimes uncertain journey. As a teenager, Gabrielle had applied to Oxford as an undergraduate and was unsuccessful. Years later, after graduating from Newcastle University, working in Parliament and completing a placement at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, she found herself reading the words: "Congratulations, your application has been successful."

"Receiving that offer felt like final proof that where I came from didn't have to define where I was going," she says.

Growing up in a working-class, single-parent family in Huddersfield, Gabrielle never assumed that institutions such as Oxford, Parliament or NATO were places where people like her belonged. Her journey, she says, was made possible through student loans, bursaries, part-time jobs and the support of those around her.

While securing a place at Oxford was a huge personal achievement, funding it has proved a significant challenge. Like many postgraduate students, the tuition fees far exceed the support available through student finance, prompting Gabrielle to launch a fundraising campaign to help make taking up her place possible.

What began as a fundraising appeal has since evolved into something much bigger. Through social media, Gabrielle's story has reached hundreds of thousands of people and sparked conversations about social mobility, access to higher education and the barriers many talented students continue to face.

One message, in particular, stood out. A young girl from Huddersfield contacted Gabrielle to say that, as another working-class Yorkshire girl, seeing her journey had made Oxford feel possible for her too.

"If one young person now looks at those places and thinks, 'Maybe I could belong there too,' then sharing my story has been worth every uncomfortable moment."

Reflecting on the support she has received, Gabrielle says she has been especially moved by the number of donations and messages from people with similar backgrounds to her own.

"It takes a working-class army to get somebody to Oxford. It just really shows the power of a working-class community and how we all look after each other."

Looking ahead

Beyond Oxford, Gabrielle hopes to build a career in public life, helping to make institutions more accessible, representative and accountable.

Long term, her ambition is to become the Member of Parliament for the community she grew up in.

"Working-class communities have enormous talent, resilience and potential, but too often they aren't reflected in the institutions making decisions about their lives. If I can spend my career giving something back to the community that gave me everything, I'd consider that a life well spent."

Advice for today's students

Gabrielle's advice is simple:

"Make the most of every opportunity you get. Use the resilience, confidence and adaptability you've learned at Crossleys - they'll carry you further than you think."