Students from the University of Plymouth’s Institute of Education have again benefitted from bursaries from the Nancy Langhorne Astor Scholarships Trust.
The trust was set up after Lady Astor, the first woman to sit as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, died in 1964. It has been used to support the aspirations of Plymouth citizens in higher education ever since.
Last night (Thursday 15 March 2018) some of the 18 students who received bursaries this year attended a presentation event at 3 Elliott Terrace, a former home of the Astor family. They were presented with certificates by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Wendy Foster, and talked about their experiences with trustees and fellow students.
Each applicant had to demonstrate a determination to enhance their personal and professional development and, following in the footsteps of Nancy Astor, demonstrate a determination to make a difference to the lives of young children. Some of the projects and activities funded by bursaries this year included volunteering with young children in the Gambia, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic as well as undertaking research at a kindergarten in Spain and attending Makaton – a language programme using signs, symbols and speech - and paediatric first aid training.
Philip Selbie, Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies in the Plymouth Institute of Education and academic liaison for the trust said:
“The trustees’ commitment to our students is very much appreciated, and helps to fulfil the University’s vision of developing graduates who are capable, confident and adaptable global citizens who make a difference to society.”One of the successful students, Lydia Polmounter said:
“My bursary has already helped me communicate with one of my school placement children, who only uses Makaton.”
