We are delighted to announce that our successful High Aspiration Programme at Kingsford Community School has supported five pupils to secure bursaries at top colleges Wellington College and University College Hampstead. They will take up their fully funded places, collectively worth over £300,000 in September this year. 

Following a rigorous selection process, with more than 150 applications received, Year 11 pupils Aisosa, Wen and Jill-Marie have successfully secured places at the prestigious Wellington College in Berkshire. The public school has previously won accolades such as “the most forward-thinking school in the UK”, and the “Best Senior School in Britain”. Like Kingsford Community School, Wellington College maintains important partnerships with China that enrich the international learning experience of its pupils. It boasts a wealth of notable alumni and educational influencers among its previous masters.  

Year 11 twins Awadh and Manar, meanwhile, prepare to take up their places at University College School in Hampstead. University College is a member of the Eton Group of twelve independent schools, well known for its established bursary programme and its international outreach work.  

The High Aspirations Programme, run by Assistant Headteacher Mr Ricardo Green, identifies the school’s most talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and prepares them to apply for fully funded bursaries at the country’s most prestigious independent schools. Pupils attend weekly meetings where they learn how to research academic institutions, prepare for interviews, and complete their online applications. They also have the opportunity to visit these prospective colleges and speak with pupils and staff to gain further insight. 

The pupils and their families are delighted with these outcomes from the opportunities provided by Kingsford, and are working really hard to ensure that they realise the GCSE grades that will confirm their placements. 

“I am so grateful to have this opportunity to further develop in my learning and education and I want to make my family proud”, says future Wellington College scholar Aisosa. 

Joan Deslandes, Head Teacher, stated “Kingsford Community School is delighted to see, once again, that it’s ethos of Aspiration, Success and Excellence is having a transformative impact on the lives of young people in Newham, opening the doors to further education that will prepare them to be successful, global citizens who make a difference.”