Your Questions Answered

·         Why African and Caribbean heritage boys?

·         What the bursary will do?

·         Who are you looking for?

·         What do the students give back in return?

·         How will we measure success?

Why African and Caribbean heritage boys?

Mike and Dolly celebrated their African roots and were extremely proud of their Caribbean heritage. They were also acutely aware of the plight of boys in the UK. Currently boys of all races in the UK are under performing, but the biggest underachievement is by Black – Caribbean followed by Black African boys.  In 2003, 70% of African – Caribbean boys left school with fewer than 5 GSCE’s at A – C level and in the last six years through government led initiatives these statistics are changing slowly.  However, African - Caribbean boys are the least likely of any group to go to university. The bursary aims to provide the opportunity to address the imbalances in higher education and support outstanding students to enter corporate professions within British society.

What the bursary will do?

What the Amos Bursary seeks to do is to support and mentor boys selected from schools in London, who have been identified as high achievers, and come through secondary schooling against the odds.  Although boys may secure university places; financial constraints, lack of parental knowledge of the system  and a general lack of understanding in terms of what is required at degree level, all lead to high drop-out rates during the first academic year.

Who are you looking for?

We select boys of Caribbean or African descent who are presently doing their Year 11 examinations, and who have been recommended by their teachers

·        We are looking for families without a strong tradition of participation in higher Education.

·        Boys committed to improving their lives through education

·        Applicants for the award must be UK students and not currently in higher education.

The first two years of the programme prepare our students for University and on entering university the successful students will receive an annual financial award for every year of their undergraduate training.  This will help towards the cost of books, specialist resources and general living costs (which could include rent, petrol money, and educational trips). 

The continued payment of the bursary is subject to students remaining on their course.

Throughout the academic year there will be a minimum of three opportunities for the students to meet with a mentor whose responsibility will be, to provide support and guidance and expose them to business and other opportunities to assist their personal growth and develop their leadership skills.  This mentor will volunteer his or her services for the duration of the undergraduate academic course.

Students will also be introduced to a peer mentor, a young person who has recently completed University and will make themselves available as a critical friend.

What do the students give back in return?

They will be required to use their knowledge and experience to help future bursary winners and encourage and support other students considering participating in Higher Education.

How will we measure success?

§       Students successfully completing their courses

§       Students successfully entering the job market or continuing
    onto post-graduate courses

§       Successful mentoring partnerships

§       Evaluation – feedback from students about the process