As if by magic it is December already. It’s been a rollercoaster year but still I count the blessings…and truly honoured to be nominated for ‘Mentor of the Year 2021’ Award by GTeX.
I have had the privilege to impact the lives of students (and their parents/carers) mentored on the Top Achievers’ Programme (TAP) over the last 10 years. Again, 100% of our students that progressed to higher education this year achieved their fullest potential in HE admission with some going to Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities.
However, every year (even during the Covid-19 Pandemic), there is a ‘WOW’ impact that stands out above all others – you know, that success story that makes even me (the super optimistic one) humbled by the mother-of-all outcomes. This is it for 2021:
Case Study
Student: JL
TAP Scholar (attended non-selective state school in London)
Now studying at the University of Cambridge (will be completing 1st Term this week) 😊
On 13th October 2020 just 2 days before the UCAS University Application deadline, JL announced to his Sixth Form that he would no longer be applying to Oxford as he was finding the Admissions Test Preparation really difficult. As his Sixth Form subscribe to the Top Achievers’ Programme (TAP), his Head of Year called to inform me of this situation.
I drove up to the school on 14th October and had a mentoring session with JL to understand his concerns, and explore the option of studying a similar course at Cambridge which required a different Admissions Test…Long story short, JL felt more confident in making the application to Cambridge by the application deadline – 15th October, and thereafter went through TAP mentoring for all next steps of the admissions process.
You can’t begin to imagine my joy when on Cambridge offer day in January 2021, JL received an offer to study at Cambridge. He sent me this email message a few weeks before moving to Cambridge in October 2021, and I quote “Thank you for your help and commitment. Fingers crossed for the future 😃” .
Summary:
Barely 2 days before the application deadline, JL made a decision to apply to Cambridge, and with expert TAP support and his hard work he is where he is today.
Note:
Can’t go into details but with what I know of his socio-economic background, this has potentially changed JL’s life (and family) forever.
