Victoria College to double bursary places

Victoria College will double the number of available bursary places to mark its 175th anniversary.

Bursaries will increase from 45 to 90, allowing more young people to access a place, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

The news forms part of the College's 175th anniversary plans in 2027.

The campaign was officially launched last night at Government House by His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd KBE, Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey and Patron of the Victoria College Foundation.

Dr Gareth Hughes, Headteacher of Victoria College, said:

"A family's income should never determine whether a talented young person can benefit from a Victoria College education.

"We want young people across Jersey to grow up knowing that, if Victoria College is the right school for them, it is genuinely within their reach."

Hundreds of young people in Jersey have benefited from a Victoria College bursary.

Evan Laframboise, an Old Victorian who received a bursary, said:

"There is so much talent in Jersey just waiting for the chance of a better life, but sometimes the key ingredient that's missing is hope.

"The bursary scheme gave me that hope and changed my life. When you invest in people, you invest in hope."

Bursary student Malachi Mitchell said:

"My time at Victoria College gave me a sense of purpose and helped me understand what I was good at - and that, when I applied myself, I could achieve a lot.

"Being a bursary student never made me feel different, and that is something I have grown to deeply appreciate."

The parent of a current bursary student added:

"I am a single parent and solely responsible for care. My son is a very bright young man, and he does really well at school.

"I am very grateful for the financial help we receive; without it my son could not be where he is now. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart."

Fees to attend Victoria College are around £9,000 per year.

The bursary scheme has been backed by other headteachers across Jersey.

Russell Price, Headteacher at Rouge Bouillon School, said:

"We are fortunate to have some very good schools in Jersey, and parents must choose the secondary school that they believe best suits their child's learning needs.

"I am delighted the Victoria College bursary scheme will mean that students from our school will have the same choice of schools available to them irrespective of their parents' income.

"It supports meritocracy and will have a meaningful impact on social mobility."

Mal Robson, Headteacher at Springfield School, said:

"Finance should not be a barrier to education or educational choices.

"The bursary campaign at Victoria College provides support for families that may not have considered accessing all the opportunities the College has to offer.

"An exciting journey awaits."