Graeme Nolan

I am a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, currently working as a Training Management Officer in Navy Command which is responsible for modernising individual training to support getting better trained war fighters to the front line.

Where I went from Forest?

I gained a BA(Hons) in Leisure and Sport Management at University of Brighton, then spent several years working at LEGOLAND Windsor initially as a Rides & Attractions Assistant, before leaving as an Operations Assistant Manager.

I undertook teacher training via a PGCE at University of Southampton and worked at The Holt School, Wokingham and a couple of primary schools in south Hampshire. Having also been an Information Warfare officer in the Royal Navy Reserves, I eventually left the teaching sector and became a Training Management Officer in the Royal Navy. My job has taken me around the world serving in warships including Type 45 Destroyers, Type 23 Frigates, Overseas Patrol Vessels and Minehunters.   

What I achieved

Academically, I have achieved a BA (Hons) and 3 postgraduate qualifications – most recently an MSc in Human Resource Development from the University of Portsmouth.  

At work, I’ve enjoyed time in places as far flung as Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Cyprus, Bahrain and Singapore. I’ve been fortunate to travel widely in my personal life to places including much of continental Europe, the Caribbean, the USA, Bolivia and Australia.

In extra-curricular activities, I played representative football within the Royal Navy and am a qualified football referee. I have officiated at international Armed Forces and inter-service matches. I also regularly play in Armed Forces golf tournaments. 

My greatest achievement is my family. I met my wife while we both worked at LEGOLAND and we now have 2 children, of whom we’re exceptionally proud.

I was in New House (the Burgundy Army!)

My best Forest memory...

Over 7 years, there was always going to be good and bad memories. I enjoyed an exchange to a school in Maastricht, Netherlands while in year 9 and a World Challenge expedition to Bolivia while in 6th form. In school, it was always the interactions with others that provide most memories – I tend not to remember the work itself, though ‘getting away with’ doing French homework at breaktime tended to add unnecessary stress!  

The favourite memories were always the jokes and positive relationships we had with our teachers and friends. This is characterised best by the annual staff Christmas panto where everyone was able to laugh together.

My top tip(s) for current students is...

...the people you share your life with at school, work and at home that have the greatest influence on your happiness and achievement. Choose wisely – surround yourself with good people, be good to others and don’t be afraid to move on from those that don’t treat you well.