How have your background and upbringing influenced your personal ambitions?

Growing up in a low-income household presents both me and my siblings with daily challenges. Even before the current cost-of-living crisis, I have been acutely aware of the struggles faced by my single, working mother who never stops trying to give us the best opportunities to succeed in life. Whilst tough, these experiences have helped shape my personal ambitions and instilled in me an unwavering drive to overcome my own academic, professional and personal challenges.

I found a huge source of inspiration in my mother’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity. She taught me the value of hard work, tenacity and the importance of seizing every opportunity within my reach. Seeing my mother work tirelessly to provide me and my siblings a chance at a better life fuels my motivation to escape the traps of society and create a better future for myself and those around me. It is only right that I reflect her efforts in my own.

Through the hardships I faced with my family and the lessons I have learnt I have also developed a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others in similar situations. My upbringing has also given me a strong sense of social responsibility and I am determined to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others and to society, particularly on issues regarding climate change. Contributing towards the betterment of society and aiding those in need is a personal commitment of mine and this was a key motivator when I partook in a social inequality project where I worked closely with a charity and had the opportunity to volunteer with poverty-stricken children in India affected by the education crisis there.

Without a father-figure, I had to turn to my older brothers for guidance and mentorship, and by learning from both my mistakes and theirs, I have developed a relentless work ethic and a dedication to self-improvement. I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally; I have participated in a plethora of Olympiads, challenges and projects and have sought out multiple work experiences. This drive has propelled me to excel academically and professionally, and I am confident that it will continue to guide me towards success in all my future endeavours.

Having developed a more coherent economic and political conscience in recent years, I not only better understand the hardship that my family has faced, but also the challenges of others like me who simply want to progress up the socioeconomic ladder through hard, conscientious work. I am confident that my upbringing, whilst difficult, has been beneficial - playing a pivotal role in influencing my ambition and attitude. It has instilled in me a fierce determination to overcome adversity, a deep sense of empathy and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and the strength I have gained from my experiences, and I am committed to using these qualities to foster a brighter future.

What would winning a Crowd Scholar scholarship mean to you?

Being a Crowd Scholar acts as not only a financial bridge to supplement my studies at the University of Oxford but it also allows me to act as a role model for those in my community. Growing up in an under-privileged and under-represented background, scholars haven’t been in abundance. My current place of residence isn't secure in the sense that it is a temporary accommodation allocated by the homelessness prevention council and yet despite this, I was able to secure a place at a prestigious university. Being a Crowd Scholar gives me the platform to show those who come from similar backgrounds that their aspirations are more than achievable, hence being accepted as a Crowd Scholar would not only mean an immense amount to myself but also those in my community. I am no stranger to adversity but have come to realise that advantage of being ""disadvantaged"". Whilst being brought up in a low-income, single-parent household has certainly had its challenges, it has also fostered my independent and determined mindset.

Winning a Crowd Scholarship would allow me to, for once, experience financial stability by alleviating the financial burden that comes with a university degree and moving out, a process that my mother alone is not able to support me through. This scholarship would enable me to make the most of my time at the University of Oxford, allowing me to focus on my academic and professional goals, rather than my financial worries.

Not only would the scholarship be financially significant, but it would give me access to an invaluable platform of mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals, ensuring I thrive at university and am able to make well-informed decisions whilst making the most of every opportunity. I hope to be an inspiration to others coming from similar backgrounds and as a symbol of possibility, showing that goals can be achieved no matter the circumstance.

The London Academy of Excellence is a sixth form free school in Newham. Over 50% of our students, including Nick live in one of the 20% most deprived UK postcodes. Nick joined LAE in 2021 and I have had the pleasure of mentoring him as his Economics Teacher over the last two years and he is without doubt one of the strongest students LAE has ever enrolled. He is an exceptionally bright and gifted mathematician who has proven to be a brilliant all-rounder. Nick has consistently achieved the highest scores in all internal assessments, usually ranking 1st in the year in a very competitive cohort for Mathematics, Further Maths, Chemistry and Economics. Given his mature and rigorous work ethic, this comes as no surprise and stands him in good stead for an undergraduate Mathematics degree. I am confident that Nick will thrive at Oxford once he takes up his offer to read Mathematics this September.

It should also be noted that Nick is and has been eligible for Free School Meals for all of his secondary and sixth form education, living in a multiple-sibling, one-income household. As such, Nick holds a very high level of responsibility at home and has had to mature quickly. Whilst at LAE, Nick has received Free School Meals, the School Bursary and has used the Hardship Fund to pay for food, travel & trips. His achievements are a testament to his hard work and determination, while his ability to balance the academic and personal is inspiring – I cannot recommend anyone more deserving of this scholarship.

In his own time Nick has volunteered as a Maths Tutor from the beginning of Year 12 - both at school and in his local community. Over the summer holiday Nick was also invited by the Home Office to teach maths in India, in underprivileged neighbourhoods. Nick had to raise money to cover some of the costs of this programme and found it to be thoroughly rewarding.

Nick embodies the school’s ethos of fulfilling one’s potential. His ability to excel in both his academic studies and multiple extra-curricular commitments gives me great confidence that he will thrive at university and be a true asset and fantastic alumnus for your institution. I highly recommend him to you without reservation.