My name is Phil Rostance, and I studied at The Holgate Academy and sixth form from 1996 to 2002. I loved my time there. Those years were filled with experiences that helped shape who I am today. It was where I found my voice, gained confidence, and made some great friends.
The teachers played a massive part in that. The school was full of big personalities, and they made a great, lasting impression. Mr Gardiner’s biology lessons were brilliant. He had this full-on theatrical style, always moving, always animated, telling jokes – half the lesson, you’d be trying to keep up with him as he rolled around the chalkboard.
Then there was Mr Raynor, my form tutor from day one all the way through to year 11. He was a real constant for me throughout school, always encouraging me to speak up, take part, and get involved. Thanks to him, I became a form rep and sat on school council panels – things that gave me confidence in a way I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
I gave every subject a go—I wasn’t exactly top of the class, but Holgate was the kind of place that backed you anyway. For me, it was the performing arts where things really clicked. Mr Kay, my drama and theatre studies teacher, introduced me to different methods of acting—breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. That style really spoke to me; it was all about trying to connect and engage with people, and it’s something that has stayed with me throughout my adult life, both on and off the stage.
One of the standout parts of school for me was the annual Christmas show. It became something I looked forward to every year – a chance to get on stage and perform in front of my classmates. I tried all sorts of things: lip-syncing, dancing, comedy… As I moved into sixth form, my performances began to mature. I discovered that I actually had a bit of a singing voice, and I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.
By that point, we weren’t just performing – we were also helping to organise the shows: working behind the scenes, running rehearsals, and sorting the tech. That experience gave me a real sense of responsibility and taught me how to put together something people could enjoy. It’s a skill that has served me well in everything I’ve done since – from gigs and charity events to my work in public service.
After Holgate, music became a massive part of my life. I started out performing in pubs and clubs around Hucknall and Nottinghamshire, slowly building a following. In 2008, I released a charity single for Help for Heroes, which climbed to number 46 in the UK singles charts – an unexpected but amazing moment.
Soon after, I teamed up with Ben Marshall – another Holgate alumnus – and we formed The Marshall Band. What started as a few local gigs at the Nabb Inn turned into something much bigger. We played over 800 shows together, including major venues like the Nottingham Ice Arena and the Royal Concert Hall. We won two radio academy awards with Trent FM, were named ‘Best UK wedding band’ three times, sold over 10,000 records, and even had another UK Top 50 hit in 2010 with our World Cup anthem, Raise Your Voice. It was all a bit crazy for an average band from Hucknall!
What I’m most proud of, though, is how music has become a way of giving back. Over the years, we’ve raised thousands for charity, and I still regularly perform at local fundraisers and community events across Nottinghamshire. Recent highlights include performing at Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir Christmas party at the East Midlands Conference Centre and being asked to sing at Nottingham Forest’s playoff final at BOXPARK Wembley, followed by the after-party where I celebrated with the players as they secured promotion to the Premier League – a surreal moment.
In 2015, I took a different turn and entered local politics. I was elected to represent Hucknall West on the Ashfield District Council – a role I’m proud to still hold today. Two years later, I was elected to the Nottinghamshire County Council and served as vice chairman of the Communities and Place Committee until 2021.
I now work as the senior executive officer to the council’s senior leadership team at County Hall. It’s a behind-the-scenes role – supporting political leaders, writing speeches and press releases, organising high-level meetings with government ministers, and coordinating royal visits. It’s a bit different from life on stage, but there’s actually a lot of crossover. It’s great to play a role in how decisions are made locally and shared across the county.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to look back. For me, Holgate was great – it gave me more than an education. It taught me how to perform, how to lead, and how to connect with people. The lessons I learned there – both on stage and in the classroom – still help guide me today.
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Made at Holgate
Please visit our dedicated alumni page, Made at Holgate, for more inspiring stories and experiences from our former students, and to learn how you can become part of our unique network.
