Throwback Thursday - Paul Murphy

This week, we catch up with Paul Murphy, whose journey from Winstanley has taken him into a long and successful career in accountancy. Paul studied with us between 2005 and 2007 before making the decision to head straight into the workplace rather than follow the traditional university route.

After leaving Winstanley, Paul secured an apprenticeship with TFD Dunhams in Manchester, where he began his training immediately after College. This hands-on start gave him the chance to build real experience early on while gaining the qualifications needed to progress in the industry. Over the years, that choice has shaped a rewarding career, and Paul is now a Chartered Accountant at Ryans, working with a wide range of clients and supporting businesses through their financial journeys.

Reflecting on his path, Paul says choosing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions he made. Being able to learn on the job, earn a salary, and develop professionally from day one gave him confidence and a clear direction. His advice to current students is simple:

“Choose an apprenticeship. It gives you the skills, experience and opportunities to build a strong career from the ground up.”

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Paul, and for inspiring the next generation of Winstanley students.

If you are a past pupil and would like to feature in a future Throwback Thursday post, please visit the Alumni section of our website