My name is Amy, and I am in Year 12. I am studying Chemistry, Biology, French and English literature for A-level, and I am really enjoying the new environment and style of teaching in the Sixth Form. It makes it even more special that I get to attend as an academic scholar!  

I am incredibly passionate about Science and hope to study Biochemistry at university. Alongside schoolwork, I participate in co-curricular activities related to this interest; and as part of our amazing careers and futures programme, I am just about to start running Biomedical society. I am very excited about this as it is really important to me that I can share my interests with younger students and hopefully inspire a further love of STEM.  

During the Summer, I spent two weeks shadowing analysts in a pharmaceutics lab. This gave me an excellent insight into the field I am considering going into, and I met some really interesting people along the way. In addition to this, I learnt a few skills that I can apply to experiments at school and got to observe how the practicals we learn about are applied to genuine situations in a functioning lab. I was really encouraged by my teachers to take on work experience and I am so glad I took this opportunity because it was fascinating to explore a new environment.  

I also volunteer at a local community garden every Saturday morning. I have learnt a lot about horticulture, which I have a keen interest in, but it also allows me to get stuck into a variety of different tasks from simple jobs such as weeding to hand pollinating fruit trees! Not only does volunteering here expand my knowledge, but I also feel much more connected to my local community. What’s more, I get to chat to fellow plant enthusiasts at different fundraisers organised by the amazing project leader.  

I am very proud to have been awarded this scholarship and incredibly grateful for the exceptional support and teaching at Blackheath High. Without the amazing opportunities on offer here, I might not have had the confidence to take part in so much in and out of school.