GSAL Bursaries widen the horizons for exceptional WRAT students
“Once White Rose, always White Rose” is a belief shared by all staff and students at the White Rose Academies Trust. Therefore, we feel it is our duty to ensure that all students are ready, prepared and supported for the life that follows once they move on from studying at one of our provisions. We continuously work to provide the exceptional education our students deserve alongside essential life training for the future.
It is a passion for us that all WRAT alumni leave knowing that they will always be a part of the White Rose family. A great deal of work goes into securing the future aspirations of our students and as one part of this, over the past year, we have been delighted to forge an exciting relationship with The Grammar School at Leeds, to which a selection of our young people are now pursuing their Sixth Form studies as part of GSAL’s bursary programme. With one WRAT alumna in Year 13 and 4 more following her footsteps in Year 12, we are so very proud to support these young people with their studies in such an encouraging environment, rooted in academic challenge.
Successful students undertook a rigorous application process which ultimately saw them acquit themselves very eloquently at interview panel before securing their places with an impressive suite of GCSE results in the summer.
We know that they will thrive at GSAL and that The Grammar School at Leeds will expose these students to brilliant academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Mr Whitaker, CEO of the White Rose Academies Trust, has always been passionate about securing the best possible education for the young people we serve. When asked about the WRAT’s important relationship with GSAL, Andrew commented –
“Our partnership with The Grammar School at Leeds, is a great example of what can be achieved when a leading independent school and a state funded multi-academy trust work together on our shared purpose of creating outstanding cultures that lead to community transformation. We feel privileged to be part of the extended GSAL family and this bursary programme is an example of the generosity of spirit that permeates this highly respected institution.”
Helen Clapham, Director of External Relations, has been pleased with the process so far and is keen to provide opportunities for exceptional students who could benefit from attending the school.
Helen said, “We are delighted that a number of WRAT students have joined our sixth form, they have all settled in well and have become highly valued members of our community. Our school was founded over 450 years ago to create opportunities for the young people of Leeds, and our work with WRAT and other schools enables us to continue this tradition”
Over the course of this year we will look to celebrate the progress of these young people as they navigate their Post-16 studies.
We are delighted to hear that Chamequa, Hannah, Debbie, Ryan and Sophie are all off to a flying start – they have all felt so welcomed and are enjoying their new adventure; slowly growing in confidence with each day as they settle into their new school. We are so very proud of you all and we absolutely cannot wait to hear all about it!