"Dame Allan's introduced me to a world of opportunities and gave me my passion for public speak

I joined Dame Allan’s in Year 9, from a local middle school. My family were looking for a smaller environment for me, where every teacher knows you and you know everyone in your year group; they found that at Dame Allan’s.

One of the things that struck me when I first visited Dame Allan’s was the sheer amount of opportunities here. There is so much to get involved with, you just need to look at all of the displays on the walls to see that! I was also really impressed by the STEM facilities in the Jubilee Building - I have always been passionate about STEM and I am hoping to work in computer engineering when I am older.  It was so exciting to learn I would be able to benefit from a bursary award. 

When I first started at Dame Allan’s, I was scared, but I really didn't need to be. I quickly made lots of friends. It’s a very friendly school, no one feels overlooked. In my experience, the pupils try to take care of each other and it is very supportive. I’ve definitely never found that my bursary award has singled me out. I am quite open about it and it has not been an issue amongst any of my peers. 

Dame Allan’s introduced me to a world of opportunities, and gave me my love for public speaking. Not a lot of schools do it and it has been a privilege to take part, especially when I got to travel to London for the finals - my team got the furthest that Dame Allan’s has ever got in the ESU Public Speaking Competition, which was amazing.

I’m also passionate about computing, and have been a member of the computing society, learning about programming and web development. I am also currently serving as editor of the student newspaper, which I helped to revive as part of a Sixth Form project.

In particular, Ms Ward and Dr Smith have had the biggest impact on my learning. Ms Ward leads public speaking and has been so supportive and encouraging, and Dr Smith really helped me to find my strengths and confidence in physics, he makes the subject really interesting.

I’m much more confident now. I’d tell any new person starting at the school to be brave and try something new, you have to embrace all of the opportunities - just jump in. 

After my A levels, I am aiming to study computer engineering at Oxbridge or Imperial College. Having the opportunity to study at Dame Allan’s has put me on this path, and I am very proud of my bursary award. 

Mrs Katherine Leonard, Development Manager at Dame Allan’s Schools said: 

“Masa is a perfect example of how a bursary award can help a young person flourish. Our bursary awards support curious, articulate and academically ambitious young people, from all walks of life, to experience a Dame Allan’s education. We know that she inspires her peers as well - and in fact, she has just been chosen as our next Head Girl! We are very proud of Masa.”