"Everything changed in the best way possible": Erin's Story

Applying to Cheltenham Ladies’ College was not my original plan.

The turning point came when I realised that the boys at my old school were being offered opportunities that the girls simply weren’t. That imbalance made something very clear to me, that the girls at my school needed something ambitious to aspire to as well.

After talking to my school to ask what could be done to open up more meaningful higher‑education pathways for girls, we fantastically learned about CLC and the Beale Award. I applied, not expecting anything - and then, to my complete shock, I was offered a place.

During my time here, I have been able to take part in leadership roles and pursue academic opportunities that pushed me further than I thought I could go. It has also given me the opportunity to form friendships with people who have genuinely influenced the person I am becoming.

The support and ambition embedded into CLC has given me confidence, and a sense of direction that I will carry with me long after I leave. Most significantly, I am now the first person in my family to apply to go to university. This milestone is not just a personal achievement but is also a direct result of the opportunities the Beale Award made possible.

It has changed the trajectory of my life, and it has shown me what can happen when potential is recognised and supported. This is what the Beale Award has done for me. And it is what it can do for so many others.

It gives students the chance to imagine - and achieve - futures they may never have believed were within reach.

Erin, SFC2 Student & Beale Award holder