Two places at Gresham’s School have been awarded to students from the Ormiston Academy Trust (OAT).
Shahd Abdelrahman, a Year 11 pupil at Ormiston Victory Academy was selected from 29 OAT students across the country. Jasmine Loades, also in Year 11, was chosen from amongst 28 students at Ormiston Venture Academy.
The Gresham’s OAT scholarship was offered to Shahd following a series of interviews at both her own school and Gresham’s, a week-long residential stay at Gresham’s – where she tracked a house ‘buddy’ and attended their lessons – and a review of predicted GCSE grades. Abdelrahman’s professional ambition is medicine – ophthalmology or neurology – having developed an interest in fine surgery.
She has previously received the OAT Einstein Award, standing out amongst hundreds of other nominations submitted by OAT’s 36 academies across the country, and has already submitted research to the General Medical Council about the registration difficulties faced by international medical graduates. She said: “I would like to thank Gresham’s for giving me this life-changing opportunity, and my academy for all their support. I think that this will open up many more doors and allow me to achieve so much – thank you.”
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Loades was awarded the Gresham’s Ormiston Venture Academy scholarship by participating in a week’s residential at Gresham’s, and being interviewed by representatives at her school and at Gresham’s. Her ambition is to become a paediatric psychologist, to help children struggling with mental health issues. She said: “Making a difference in one child’s life would make all the study worth it because, if I can change one life, I can change a million.
“I am overwhelmed with joy that I have the opportunity to involve myself in the amazing environment that Gresham’s offers, and I am excited to dive right into the many different activities and experiences.”
Gresham’s headmaster, Douglas Robb, said: “We are delighted to welcome two such bright and tenacious individuals to Gresham’s next year. Old Greshamians have achieved great success in many fields, and we look forward to supporting Shahd and Jasmine on what look to be two very extraordinary and impactful journeys too. Both students are on a mission to help others, which is something we really value here at Gresham’s.”
For 11 years, Gresham’s has partnered with Ormiston Venture Academy, annually offering boarding places, enabling aspiring students to fully experience independent school life. The OAT scholarship is awarded in partnership with several independent schools – this is the second time Gresham’s has offered a school place.
