Invest in educating a young change maker
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Help me become a force for positive change.
I am actively committed to making the world a better place, and I am currently engaged in action on climate change and social justice. I now have the opportunity to attend a unique college, which will not only give me an incredible sixth-form education, but crucially place me in a powerful international network of change makers. However, my family cannot meet the fees required.
United World College is a movement of 18 international schools around the world whose mission is to “make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future". I have been offered a place at Atlantic College in South Wales.
I would love to attend UWC for its broad education and its diversity, which will enable me to make global connections and develop change-making skills that will help me to make a real difference in the world: I am aiming for a career in the humanitarian sector, or work with NGOs. Unfortunately, whilst I have been offered a substantial bursary, there is still a shortfall of £6,000 per year, which our family simply does not have.
UWC schools are committed to enabling their students to become change makers. Diversity is a key aspect of the UWC movement; at Atlantic College each year group contains students from over 80 nationalities, enabling students to share cultures, backgrounds, knowledge and ideas.
I’m excited to study the International Baccalaureate curriculum rather than A-Levels, as it offers a far broader education. The IB Diploma Programme encompasses six subjects, an extended essay, study of Theory of Knowledge, as well as ‘CAS’ activities – Creative; Activity (a sport); and Service (i.e. volunteering for community action).
More about me
I am already doing what I can to effect change in my local community and beyond:
· The cause I have been most passionately working towards is climate activism; myself and my friend Clare (who has also been offered a place at UWC) co-ordinate the school strikes in Cockermouth, and I volunteer with UKSCN (the UK Student Climate Network). I co-founded our county’s branch of UKSCN and organised a county-wide poetry competition. I have emailed MPs and interviewed parliamentary candidates. I sat on a panel at a Youth Climate Question Time, spoke at a Youth Climate Summit, and presented a petition to the borough council. I attend meetings with other local environmental groups and have attended a parliamentary reception. Clare and I presented proposals to Cockermouth town council which resulted in them declaring a climate emergency
· I co-run our school's Amnesty International group, teaching young children about human rights issues
· I am trained in Mental Health First Aid and have been active in our school's mental health group, attending meetings with other schools and planning events
· I'm also involved in the school's eco club, am a member of the school council, and of the local youth council, with whom I have attended local and regional events such as litter picks.
The potential
UWC will develop my skills and will provide me with opportunities that are simply not available in rural Cumbria. Atlantic College offers an incredibly broad range of extra-curricular activities, from working with local refugees, to participating in Model United Nations. One of the most important strengths of UWC is the connections I will make: the rigorous acceptance process ensures that all who are offered a place are highly driven, motivated change makers. By attending UWC, I will join a network of young leaders and change makers from across the world, and these connections will be lifelong, thanks to the movement’s strong and supportive alumni network.
UWC relies primarily on donations from alumni and others, which means the financial aid they can give varies from year to year. UWC strives to be as inclusive as possible: 80% of students receive full or partial scholarships. Unfortunately, this year the national committee has less money available than in previous years, and is unable to provide full bursaries.
How you can help
The yearly fees for Atlantic College are £33,000 (excluding transport costs and additional expenses). I have been awarded a bursary of £28,500, leaving a shortfall of £4,500 per year - a sum which my family simply cannot afford.
I have accepted the place, but to be able to take it up, we need to find £4500 for the first year. My family is pulling out all the stops in efforts to generate the funds.
Members of our wider family have been able to commit £1,000 per year. We are looking to fund my second year with education grants, and we are exploring every other possible avenue, including holding fundraising events.
My dad already works full time, but my mother (currently part-time) is looking for extra work to increase her income, and I will find a job after I have finished my GCSEs.
Despite these options, £7,000 over the two years remains a vast sum for us, so we are asking you to help us in raising at least £4,000 of this through Go Fund Me.
I would be extremely grateful if you felt able to donate even a small amount towards the school fees. If I’m able to attend Atlantic College, I will share my progress with you in quarterly updates if you give me your contact details.
Thank you for considering making this investment – I am so excited about what I could achieve with the launchpad of an education at UWC.
To clarify - my mother, Letitia Thornton, is named as beneficiary as the funds are unable to come straight to me as I am under 18.
I am actively committed to making the world a better place, and I am currently engaged in action on climate change and social justice. I now have the opportunity to attend a unique college, which will not only give me an incredible sixth-form education, but crucially place me in a powerful international network of change makers. However, my family cannot meet the fees required.
United World College is a movement of 18 international schools around the world whose mission is to “make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future". I have been offered a place at Atlantic College in South Wales.
I would love to attend UWC for its broad education and its diversity, which will enable me to make global connections and develop change-making skills that will help me to make a real difference in the world: I am aiming for a career in the humanitarian sector, or work with NGOs. Unfortunately, whilst I have been offered a substantial bursary, there is still a shortfall of £6,000 per year, which our family simply does not have.
UWC schools are committed to enabling their students to become change makers. Diversity is a key aspect of the UWC movement; at Atlantic College each year group contains students from over 80 nationalities, enabling students to share cultures, backgrounds, knowledge and ideas.
I’m excited to study the International Baccalaureate curriculum rather than A-Levels, as it offers a far broader education. The IB Diploma Programme encompasses six subjects, an extended essay, study of Theory of Knowledge, as well as ‘CAS’ activities – Creative; Activity (a sport); and Service (i.e. volunteering for community action).
More about me
I am already doing what I can to effect change in my local community and beyond:
· The cause I have been most passionately working towards is climate activism; myself and my friend Clare (who has also been offered a place at UWC) co-ordinate the school strikes in Cockermouth, and I volunteer with UKSCN (the UK Student Climate Network). I co-founded our county’s branch of UKSCN and organised a county-wide poetry competition. I have emailed MPs and interviewed parliamentary candidates. I sat on a panel at a Youth Climate Question Time, spoke at a Youth Climate Summit, and presented a petition to the borough council. I attend meetings with other local environmental groups and have attended a parliamentary reception. Clare and I presented proposals to Cockermouth town council which resulted in them declaring a climate emergency
· I co-run our school's Amnesty International group, teaching young children about human rights issues
· I am trained in Mental Health First Aid and have been active in our school's mental health group, attending meetings with other schools and planning events
· I'm also involved in the school's eco club, am a member of the school council, and of the local youth council, with whom I have attended local and regional events such as litter picks.
The potential
UWC will develop my skills and will provide me with opportunities that are simply not available in rural Cumbria. Atlantic College offers an incredibly broad range of extra-curricular activities, from working with local refugees, to participating in Model United Nations. One of the most important strengths of UWC is the connections I will make: the rigorous acceptance process ensures that all who are offered a place are highly driven, motivated change makers. By attending UWC, I will join a network of young leaders and change makers from across the world, and these connections will be lifelong, thanks to the movement’s strong and supportive alumni network.
UWC relies primarily on donations from alumni and others, which means the financial aid they can give varies from year to year. UWC strives to be as inclusive as possible: 80% of students receive full or partial scholarships. Unfortunately, this year the national committee has less money available than in previous years, and is unable to provide full bursaries.
How you can help
The yearly fees for Atlantic College are £33,000 (excluding transport costs and additional expenses). I have been awarded a bursary of £28,500, leaving a shortfall of £4,500 per year - a sum which my family simply cannot afford.
I have accepted the place, but to be able to take it up, we need to find £4500 for the first year. My family is pulling out all the stops in efforts to generate the funds.
Members of our wider family have been able to commit £1,000 per year. We are looking to fund my second year with education grants, and we are exploring every other possible avenue, including holding fundraising events.
My dad already works full time, but my mother (currently part-time) is looking for extra work to increase her income, and I will find a job after I have finished my GCSEs.
Despite these options, £7,000 over the two years remains a vast sum for us, so we are asking you to help us in raising at least £4,000 of this through Go Fund Me.
I would be extremely grateful if you felt able to donate even a small amount towards the school fees. If I’m able to attend Atlantic College, I will share my progress with you in quarterly updates if you give me your contact details.
Thank you for considering making this investment – I am so excited about what I could achieve with the launchpad of an education at UWC.
To clarify - my mother, Letitia Thornton, is named as beneficiary as the funds are unable to come straight to me as I am under 18.
Organizer and beneficiary
Isabella Bridgman
Organizer
Letitia Thornton
Beneficiary
