Although the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation hasn’t been able to hold its awards ceremony this year, students from Ferndown Upper School have still been able to benefit from funding.

A total of £10,000 was awarded to 24 students, providing three scholarships and 24 bursaries.

Leon Metelsky received a scholarship to support his ambition to become a professional ballet dancer. He is currently auditioning for full time vocational ballet schools all around the world and has already secured places at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg and the Akademie des Tanzes Mannheim in Germany. He will represent Team England at the Dance World Cup in Spain in July.  Leon has used his award to pay for his dance training, the cost of two associate courses, new ballet shoes and for the rental of the dance studio to film his audition videos.

Another scholarship winner aims to study textiles at university and has used her award to purchase an embroidery machine that will help to take her sewing skills to a professional level. A music scholarship was also awarded to a gifted musician who aims to follow a career in music.  The bursaries provided a whole range of equipment to support students studying art, photography, textiles and IT.  Bursaries also included an award to cover accommodation costs enabling a student to attend a 14-week Level 1 Diploma in Racehourse Care, and a young man needing a space to study at home, will now be able to buy his own desk.

If you would like to find out more about the JTYAF visit www.jtyaf.org.