Ramona Kingdon (Class of 2022) – Esher Sixth Form College

Did you know that studying Mathematics and Art at A Level provides an excellent foundation for a career in engineering and architectural design?

We recently caught up with Ramona Kingdon, who studied Art and Design, Economics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics at Esher. She is now pursuing Engineering and Architectural Design at University College London.

As part of our Wider Skills Week enrichment programme, we were delighted to welcome Alumni, Ramona, back into College to take part in a workshop on Exploring Architecture. The session offered inspiration for our current students interested in architecture, interior design, and those passionate about sketching and photographing the urban environment. Ramona highlighted the vital role of Fine Art in shaping architectural thought and design, demonstrating how creativity and technical skill work hand in hand.

“My fondest memory is working in the Art department… which pretty much became my safe space where I had peace, listening to music while playing around with different materials to make my final pieces for the exhibition.”

Alumni Ramona outside UCL with a group of her student peers

School: Sunbury Manor School
Subjects: Art and Design (Fine Art)
Economics
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Progression: Engineering and Architectural Design at UCL

Are there any standout memories or experiences from your time at Esher?

Well! We were just coming out of the COVID years so most of our first year was the ‘one-week- online’ and ‘one-week-in-person’ system. It was a weird time but looking back I really appreciate the efforts of the staff so that we were able to learn and keep up with the content. Some certainly went above and beyond.

My fondest memory is working in the Art department in my second year, which pretty much became my safe space where I had peace – listening to music while playing around with different materials to make my final pieces for the exhibition.

The end of year exhibition was fantastic, seeing everyone’s work come together, filling and transforming the spaces, and meeting friends and family. It was so much fun and a proper celebration of our projects and time at college.

How did your time at Esher influence your decision to pursue Engineering and Architectural Design (EAD)?

At Esher I was encouraged to find the best degree course for me. Once I found the EAD course at University College London, which combined my interest in the Maths and Arts side of Architecture, it was all or nothing. Tutors and teachers were really supportive in figuring out what to do and they helped me with my personal statement and my portfolio for the application process.

If you could go back, what advice would you give your 16 year old self?

Hmmmm….. I think I’d say just have fun and don’t worry too much. Life and education are better when you’re not overthinking it!

What’ has you been up to since leaving Esher?

While at UCL, I’ve lived in Victoria in halls for the first year, then commuted from home in the second, and then moved back out to East London for the third year. I worked in a pub in Covent Garden, did some maths tutoring, played sports, made a crazy pavilion project, went to Copenhagen on a field trip, been on holidays during summer, lived off-grid volunteering in Suffolk, been to a concert with my university tutors, and so much more. I’ve made lots of memories, met loads of people and made amazing friendships.

I’m currently taking a year out before finishing my studies. Many people have recommended it especially if you’ve not taken a gap year after college, which many found incredibly useful to settle and figure out what’s next if you’re unsure.

What have been your highlights far?

Ramona back at Esher College for an Exploring Architecture workshop

My first-year group pavilion project was a great success, we won a couple of awards and we were asked to rebuild it several times, firstly to be the centrepiece of Summer Show Launch Party for the Barlett School of Architecture at UCL, then again at the opening of the UCL Marshgate building and finally at the Bloomsbury Festival. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the responsibility in managing and making it happen again and again.

Also, it’s been lovely to stay in touch with the Art Department at Esher. I came back as an assistant for a two-day Architecture workshop, which was run by one of the tutors from The Bartlett School of Architecture. Funny full circle moment!

Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or goals you're particularly excited about?

I’m going to go for a couple months volunteering in Nepal, with a charity supporting disaster relief by building schools and local facilities for rural communities. I’ll let you know how it goes!

What advice would you give to students who want to follow a similar path?

Go for it, try your best and if it’s meant to be it will be! If you change your mind later on it’s absolutely ok, and if it falls through then never mind, can’t say you didn’t try! Don’t worry about rejection or failure just put yourself out there and it’s equally important to learn what you don’t like and do like, or from mistakes and successes.