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Hannah Clargo – St Mary’s Student 2017-2024
In my time at Calne, and especially as a Foundation Scholar, I was able to gain so many skills, both academic and otherwise, that by the time I started university, I felt far more prepared than expected. When I began at Calne, I was intimidated and anxious about being involved in such a different environment after spending my primary school years at a local state school. However, this feeling quickly faded, and each day I found myself more excited about the opportunities on offer, from learning Latin and Ancient Greek – which has significantly benefitted my university experience, as many of my fellow Classicists at Oxford were not given such a prospect – to school trips, anywhere from the Isle of Wight to Athens.
When applying for university, I felt that I might not be good enough to be accepted, a feeling which I’m sure many other students understand. However, Calne provided aid such as tutor meetings, Higher Education lessons, and Careers fairs, all of which allowed me to become more comfortable and confident in my decision to attend university. As well as this, a great number of extra-curricular options were given to me such as becoming editor of the school magazine, volunteering to run a Classics club at a local school, and, of course, the ever-memorable Company Shout.
Overall, Calne and its teachers are the reason I was able to both enjoy my teenage years and amazingly apply to Oxford, a dream since childhood which would have been significantly more difficult without my time at the school. Being a Foundation Scholar has meant that I’ve been able to feel very included and at home at a place where I never would have been able to even attend. I’m very grateful for all the teaching staff, members of staff and all the friends that I’ve been able to make here and for making it such a positive journey for me and allowing me to grow my confidence and to be able to go out into the world myself.
If you have the brilliant opportunity to apply for a Foundation scholarship or bursary, take it! Have confidence in yourself, grasp every opportunity which may come to you, and you will succeed and undoubtedly #WinYourOwnRace.
