The Friends of Woodhouse Grove Award / Scholarship
Ever since 1978 Friends have awarded a scholarship to two senior pupils every year.
Traditionally the Friends Scholarship was awarded to leavers to help exclusively towards higher education or training costs. However that's all changing.
A couple of years ago the scholarship was renamed the 'Friends Award' to reflect the fact that the selection criteria should be based on students' contribution to Woodhouse Grove School during their time as a pupil rather than simply academic achievement.
We've also broadened the purposes for which the money can be used - for academic studies or training, or for other worthwhile activities once pupils leave school.
Who is eligible?
The Friends Awards are open to all senior pupils - 5th, Lower 6th or Upper 6th formers.
Successful applicants must demonstrate that not only are they involved in a broad range of activities, in or outside school, but that they have also undertaken charitable work (either in or outside school).
Applicants must also be able to demonstrate commitment to the ethos of the school as well as providing evidence of having supported other members of the school in achieving their success. You can download an outline of the criteria required here>>
STOP PRESS: In 2010 we were able to INCREASE the amount we give to Friends Award Candidates. In June 2010 we awarded a total of £850 (including donations to the "runners up").
2010 Awards
In May 2010 we handed out our annual Friends Awards to Matthew Fayle (rain forest preservation expedition to Ecuador) and Katherine Ormandroyd (World Challenge to Borneo) - see pic on right. Donations were also made to Ryan Brown (National Youth Theatre course) and Will Hutchinson (Yorkshire Schools Expedition to the Sinai Desert).
2009 Awards
Our 2009 awards went to Symi Jackson and Hannah Waddell who were planning a seven week expedition to Thailand, working with local schools and orphanages.
2008 Awards
Last year's Awards went to Ben Wood, to sponsor the Crushed Petal Arts Collective, a successful Grove student-pioneered venture that's performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival amongst other venues.
Our other Award went to William Ormondroyd who spent a month in Mongolia with the Yorkshire Schools' Expedition Society (see photo on the right).
2007 Friends Awards
2007 Award-winners Emily Parr and Peter Reed spent their gap year working in the San Francisco Home for abandoned children from the streets and shanty towns of San Paolo in Brazil.
In the home, Emily and Peter performed general domestic duties for the 70+ children and helping to establish a safe and caring environment. They are also helping the children explore music, dance and drama. Read their interesting news letters here>>
In 2007 Friends also made a donation to Harry Whitwell who is undertaking a 'Safety Boat' course to enable him to instruct disabled and able bodied people to sail. Another donation was made to Matthew Barrett to help him continue his voluntary work with STAR (Student Action for Refugees) at university.
Letter from Joanne Grainger
Thanks to Joanne Grainger, our Award winner from 2006, for her email telling us all about her fantastic gap year experiences working on a kibbutz in Israel. Read Joanne's letter here>>