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Leathersellers’ Student Grants: Khadija’s Story
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Jack Petchey Foundation, we’re highlighting exceptional stories of those from our programmes and grants. This month, meet Khadija, who is doing a degree in midwifery and has received a bursary supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation to assist with her studies.
“Doing a degree in Midwifery is full-time,” says Khadija Isack, who has just finished her studies at Kingston University London, “you have to work 12.5 hour shifts, nights, weekends and sometimes you’re on call too. It’s almost impossible to take care of your academic work and take on a part-time job as well.
“Thanks to the Student Grant from The Leathersellers’ Foundation, I was able to love my degree and give it my all without having to worry about additional financial pressures. It was absolutely incredible to have that support throughout my degree. To be honest, I’m not sure what I’d have done without it.”
Khadija is one of 68 people who received an award from the Leathersellers’ Foundation’s flagship Student Grants Programme in 2023–2024. In total the leathersellers’ Foundation distributed £240,000 for that academic year, with awards varying from £2,000 to £5,000 for each student. Many of the students receive support for the duration of their undergraduate degree, up to a maximum of four years.
Around a third of the students awarded funds last year are alumni of Colfe’s School and the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools in southeast London, where the Leathersellers have been involved with supporting education since the 17th century.
Applicants need to show that they require additional financial support to reach university, which can be because of a number of factors relating to their background, educational journey and chosen career path. The Chair and the Student Grants panel also consider how students have overcome challenges to reach university and the difference that funding would make to their university experience.
“Last year, and looking forward to 2024–2025, when considering new applicants we narrowed our focus to prioritise those who attended our affiliated schools and care experienced students, recognising the particular challenges that they face in accessing higher education and the difference that qualifications can make,” says Natalia Rymaszewska, Head of Grants at the Leathersellers’ Foundation. “Care leavers face psychological, financial and practical barriers to going to university. While 47% of young people from state-funded schools progress into higher education by the age of 19, the figure for care-experienced children is just 14%. We hope that our grants will help to level the playing field for people from some of the most disadvantaged groups in society.”
As part of a new partnership the Student Grants Programme now also benefits from the Jack Petchey Foundation, which helps to support the ambitions of young people. Each year, each student that is part of the Jack Petchey Foundation Scholarship will receive a £1,000 contribution towards their yearly grant. Khadija was one of five of those who received this grant.
To be awarded it, applicants must be under 25 years old, have attended a state school in London or Essex for Sixth Form and either be studying a healthcare related degree or be care experienced.
These grants give recipients an increased sense of freedom in different ways, whether it’s freedom from financial constraints or the freedom to choose what they will study and where.