Gabriel Maple

My name is Gabriel Richard Maple, and my friends often describe me using the “three C’s” — creative, compassionate, and curious. 

My creativity shows in many ways — from my love of making things, to exploring and understanding new ideas, to expressing myself through art and storytelling. I’m endlessly curious, always wanting to know how things work — whether that’s the intricate internal mechanisms of a device or the physics that explains them. My compassion shines through in my role as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, where I take pride in guiding students, supporting their growth, and helping them overcome challenges. 

I have been practising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 12 years, and it remains one of my greatest passions. Outside the dojo, I enjoy creating imaginative monsters and detailed artwork, baking and cooking for friends and family, and diving into the collaborative world of Dungeons & Dragons, where creativity and strategy meet. 

These passions reflect who I am: someone who loves to learn, to create, and to help others succeed. 

Since September 2024, I have served as a Coach at Gracie Barra Staple Hill BJJ, where I study and teach martial arts techniques, design and lead warm-ups and drills, ensure student safety and comprehension, and prepare the venue in advance of classes. Prior to this, I worked as a Coach Assistant from September 2023 to January 2024, supporting demonstrations, monitoring safety, assigning training partners, and providing one-on-one guidance to help students progress. In March 2024, I participated as a Student at BT Group, engaging with industry professionals, collaborating to develop concepts, and applying my own experience in a corporate environment. From November 2023 to March 2024, I also worked as Project Team Member at Mott MacDonald, solving real-world engineering challenges, coordinating with multiple teams to refine solutions, and connecting ideas across departments to enhance innovation. Most recently, from June to July 2024, I completed an Online Work Experience with Airbus, gaining valuable insight into the aerospace, commercial, and defence sectors, while exploring the company’s sustainability strategies and innovation initiatives. 

At St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, I studied A-Level Computer Science, Physics, and Design Technology. I particularly enjoyed Design Technology, as it combined both practical and written assessment. Over six months, I developed a bridge design project, involving research, data gathering, iterative improvements, and detailed documentation to produce a functional and well-justified final design.

At Bristol Brunel Academy, I completed GCSEs in English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Business, and Design Technology. My favourite subjects were Design Technology and Business, as they offered hands-on, practical assessments alongside theoretical learning. For Design Technology, I created and refined a drill bit holder design through multiple iterations, while in Business, I developed and improved a concept for a start-up. Both projects strengthened my creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to work from concept to final solution.