The difference a bursary can make

Zakiah Kulkhan Albaythani, 
Arnold School (2010-2012), AKS (2012-2019) 

“I was given the maximum bursary during my time at AKS Sixth Form. My father worked on a contractual basis and could no longer pay for my time at AKS, previously it had been a struggle but it became unachievable towards the end of my GCSEs. Even with the maximum bursary the cap was 85% and so my parents loaned the remainder from a family friend. I am a second-generation Iraqi immigrant; education was incredibly vital in my household: my parents often said they prioritised my education because “education is the way out”
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During my time at AKS, I lived in Blackpool and commuted an hour in on a Blackpool transport bus (until gratefully, a friend of mine passed her driving test and so I could carpool into Sixth Form). AKS really enabled me to achieve my ambitions. It was Mr Maund who suggested a law course to me. Mr Sobey who got me a legal placement, from the parent of an Arnold alumnus, at Cobain’s Solicitors and Mrs Lucking, an alumnus and parent of an alumnus, who got me my Napthen’s legal placement. 

When I had dropped a grade during A levels due to personal issues, it was Mr Bridges’ support that allowed me to achieve 100% on one of my A-level English Literature papers. This went on to allow me access onto an alternative course. From there I made it to a Russell Group University reading Politics and Philosophy, achieved a 2:1 average and successfully transferred onto a law course. 

I am in the final semester of my final year, with a first average on my chosen Law with Criminology Degree. It has been a hard path, but I could not have achieved this without the support of my bursary, my teachers or the alumni network. If I hadn’t gone down this chosen path, I doubt I would have got a law degree, moved to Manchester or developed the skillset I now have.”