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Our Alumni

Once a Lady Barner, Always a Lady Barner

Our alumni – past pupils, or “Lady Barners” – have gone on to follow many different paths, yet they often share a common thread: a lasting affection for the school and the memories made here.

On this page we celebrate some of those stories. From fond memories of school days to reflections on how Lady Barn shaped their journeys, these voices remind us that once you have been part of the Lady Barn community, you are always part of it.

Featured Lady Barner

Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw – Mathematician, Educator and Civic Leader

One of Lady Barn’s most distinguished former pupils is Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, an internationally respected mathematician and one of Manchester’s most influential civic figures.

Screenshot 2026 03 06 at 13.57.49 After losing her hearing at the age of eight, Kathleen showed extraordinary determination in pursuing her education. Her love of mathematics led her to the University of Oxford, where she studied mathematics before going on to become a leading expert in mathematical research and education.

Alongside her academic achievements, she dedicated much of her life to public service. She served as Lord Mayor of Manchester and became a passionate advocate for education, championing opportunities for young people across the city.

Her remarkable journey – from a young pupil at Lady Barn to a nationally respected mathematician and civic leader – reflects the enduring spirit of curiosity, resilience and ambition that the school continues to nurture today.

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Gillian Rawson-Harris – Data Scientist

Gillian Rawson-Harris attended Lady Barn from 1992 to 2000, later studying Mathematics at the University of Nottingham before building a career in data science in Melbourne, Australia. She remembers Lady Barn as a place that helped her develop the confidence to think independently and tackle problems creatively, with school trips and inspiring teachers leaving lasting memories.

Asra Shakoor – Public Service

After her time at Lady Barn, Asra Shakoor went on to build a career in government and now works as a Ministerial Briefing Adviser for the UK Government. She recalls her school years with great affection and credits the supportive environment and strong educational foundations at Lady Barn for helping shape her professional journey.

Raj Ganatra – Strategy & Operations Lead, YouTube

Raj attended Lady Barn from 1997–2006 before studying at Manchester Grammar School and the University of Nottingham. After building a career in innovation and strategy, including roles at KFC UK & Ireland, he now works as Strategy & Operations Lead at YouTube.

“Lady Barn provided me with some of my most cherished memories… my best friends to this day are from Lady Barn.”

Emma Beer – From Pupil to Teacher

Emma Beer first joined Lady Barn as a pupil in 1983 and later returned as a teacher after completing her degree and teacher training. Today she reflects fondly on the same qualities that made the school special when she was a child — a sense of fun, friendship and community that continues to shape the experience of pupils today.

Lady Barn Legends

Beryl Reid Actress and Comedian	Marghanita Laski Author and Journalist	Caroline Lejeune Film Critic	Ian Hay (Major-General John Hay Beith) Author and Playwright
Beloved British actress Beryl Reid spent part of her childhood at Lady Barn before going on to a hugely successful career on stage, television and film. Known for her warmth and sharp comic timing, she became one of Britain’s most recognisable performers, appearing in productions from the West End to the BBC. Her creative career reflects the long tradition of drama and performance that remains a strong part of Lady Barn life today.	Writer and journalist Marghanita Laski was another former pupil of Lady Barn. She became a prominent novelist, literary critic and broadcaster, writing widely on literature, culture and society. Her intellectual curiosity and love of learning echo the progressive educational ideas that shaped the school from its earliest days.	Caroline Lejeune attended Lady Barn before becoming one of Britain’s most influential early film critics. Writing for major national newspapers, she helped shape public understanding of cinema during the early decades of the film industry. Her career highlights the long-standing connection between Lady Barn and the arts and media world.	Author and playwright John Hay Beith, better known by his pen name Ian Hay, was a former Lady Barn pupil. After studying at Cambridge and serving in the First World War, he became a successful novelist and dramatist, writing popular works including Pip. His literary success added to the school’s growing reputation for nurturing creativity and intellectual ambition.

Beryl Reid

Actress and Comedian

Marghanita Laski

Author and Journalist

Caroline Lejeune

Film Critic

Ian Hay (Major-General John Hay Beith)

Author and Playwright

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Beloved British actress Beryl Reid spent part of her childhood at Lady Barn before going on to a hugely successful career on stage, television and film. Known for her warmth and sharp comic timing, she became one of Britain’s most recognisable performers, appearing in productions from the West End to the BBC. Her creative career reflects the long tradition of drama and performance that remains a strong part of Lady Barn life today.

Screenshot 2026 03 06 at 15.15.20

Writer and journalist Marghanita Laski was another former pupil of Lady Barn. She became a prominent novelist, literary critic and broadcaster, writing widely on literature, culture and society. Her intellectual curiosity and love of learning echo the progressive educational ideas that shaped the school from its earliest days.

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Caroline Lejeune attended Lady Barn before becoming one of Britain’s most influential early film critics. Writing for major national newspapers, she helped shape public understanding of cinema during the early decades of the film industry. Her career highlights the long-standing connection between Lady Barn and the arts and media world.

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Author and playwright John Hay Beith, better known by his pen name Ian Hay, was a former Lady Barn pupil. After studying at Cambridge and serving in the First World War, he became a successful novelist and dramatist, writing popular works including Pip. His literary success added to the school’s growing reputation for nurturing creativity and intellectual ambition.

Have a Lady Barn story to share?

If you would like to write an article or share news, please contact us on friends@ladybarnhouse.org. We’re always delighted to hear from you.

The Lady Barn story continues…For more than 150 years, pupils have shaped the history of Lady Barn. Discover how the school began and how its values continue today.