A Sisterhood

for Life

Charithra Chandran (Class of 2015) is an actress known for her roles in Alex Rider (2021), Bridgerton (2022) and How to Date Billy Walsh (2024), after studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at New College, Oxford. 

She is an outspoken advocate against colourism and racism in the film industry, using her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by actresses of Indian descent and to promote greater diversity and inclusion in media.

Anna Lapwood (Class of 2013) is a renowned organist, conductor and broadcaster. During her degree at Oxford University, she became the first woman awarded the prestigious Magdalen College Organ Scholarship. A passionate advocate for women in music, Anna leads organ workshops and champions new compositions by female composers. With over 1 million social media followers, she inspires a global audience, promoting diversity and innovation in classical music.

Emma Bridgewater (Class of 1979) is one of the UK’s most recognisable homeware designers and a leading entrepreneur. She founded the Emma Bridgewater ceramics company in 1985, creating iconic designs such as her famous polka dot range. Inspired by a search for a birthday gift for her mother, Emma crafted her own distinctive pottery, establishing a business that is now one of the largest UK-based manufacturers, with most products made at the Stoke-on-Trent factory.

Beyond her business, Emma has served as a former Oxford High School and parent, consistently supporting the school’s community and initiatives.

Miriam Margolyes (Class of 1959) is one of Oxford High School GDST’s most celebrated alumnae. A passionate actor during her school years, she played Gertrude in Hamlet in the first dramatic performance staged in the new Belbroughton Road Hall. She has since returned many times, most memorably to open the Miriam Margolyes Drama Studio, describing it as one of the happiest days of her life.

After leaving Oxford High School, Miriam read English at Newnham College, Cambridge, performing with the Cambridge Footlights and appearing in the first series of University Challenge.

Her distinguished acting career spans stage and screen. She won the LA Critics’ Circle Award for Little Dorrit and a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Age of Innocence. Audiences worldwide recognise her as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, alongside roles in Babe, James and the Giant Peach and Romeo + Juliet. On stage, she appeared in the original London cast of Wicked.

Renowned for her wit, intellect and outspoken advocacy on LGBTQ+ rights and her Jewish heritage, Miriam Margolyes remains a fearless and distinctive voice.

Katy Barrow-Grint (Class of 1996) is Deputy Chief Constable at Gloucestershire Constabulary and a leading advocate against violence toward women and girls. She currently leads her force’s response to improve safety and justice, with initiatives such as Project Vigilant driving increases in charges and convictions. Katy also works with social media influencers, including Instagram campaigns, to engage young people in prevention and awareness efforts.

Katy began her policing career in 2000 with Thames Valley Police after studying Sociology at the London School of Economics. Over the years, she has held roles across uniform patrol, CID, neighbourhood policing, surveillance and strategic development.

Maggie Smith (Class of 1953) attended Oxford High School GDST until the age of sixteen before training at the Oxford Playhouse. She began her professional acting career with the Oxford University Dramatic Society in 1952, playing Viola in Twelfth Night.

Her stage career flourished at the Royal National Theatre, including a celebrated performance as Desdemona opposite Laurence Olivier in Othello, which led to the first of six Academy Award nominations. She won two Academy Awards: Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Best Supporting Actress for California Suite, becoming one of the few performers to win in both categories. She also received multiple BAFTA Awards and the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship.

On stage, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Lettice and Lovage, earning international acclaim.

To new generations, she is unforgettable as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, roles that brought her Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards.

Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and later a Companion of Honour (CH), she remains one of Britain’s most distinguished and beloved actors. 

Dame Maggie Smith passed away in 2024, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as one of Britain’s most celebrated and influential actors.

Asma Nizami (Class of 2004) is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, specialising in immigration, asylum, deportation and European free movement law. Her practice includes refugee and human rights claims, cases involving vulnerable clients and matters related to the Points Based System.

Committed to pro bono work, Asma regularly volunteers for Bail for Immigration Detainees, Rights of Women and the Article 8 Deportations Advice Project. In 2018, she won a ProBono award at the Lexis Nexis Legal Awards for her work on the Refugee Legal Support Athens project.

Professor Samaya Nissanke (Class of 1994) is a leading astrophysicist at the University of Amsterdam, known for her work on gravitational waves and cosmic events like neutron star mergers. She was instrumental in the groundbreaking discovery of GW170817, the first neutron star merger observed through both gravitational waves and light.

Her achievements have earned major awards, and she is also a passionate science communicator and advocate for women in STEM, inspiring diversity and inclusion in science.