St Mary’s College student awarded a Peel Foundation Scholarship

Hannah Frost, 18, from Accrington, first knew about the scholarship when her Student Guidance mentor at St Mary’s, Diane Sellars, put her name forward for the award. After filling out an application form and attaching a written appraisal from the Principal, she found out a few weeks later that she had been shortlisted.

The next step included an in-depth 45 minute interview with three members of the scholarship foundation. Questions included what she was hoping to achieve at university, what her interests were and even some on the spot questions about the subjects she had studied at St Mary’s.

Hannah obviously impressed the interview panel as a short time later she received a letter to say she was successful in her application.

The Peel Foundation Scholarships were established in Blackburn in 1898 as a memorial to Sir Robert Peel (1750 - 1830) who was born in Oswaldtwistle and whose family established a calico printing firm in 1764. The modern day Trustees apply the income of the Foundation to awards to students entering university. Hannah is now off to Keele University to study Geosciences at the end of September. She aims to use the scholarship of £500 to participate in specialised university field trips. Hannah hopes to then complete her Masters in the subject with the desire in the future to emigrate to Canada or Alaska to become a Glaciologist.

Hannah says, “I’m so grateful for the Student Guidance team at St Mary’s College who considered me for this award. Without them I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now, going to Keele University studying a subject I love. Thank you”.

St Mary’s Principal, Mr Dixon, says about her achievement, “Hannah is a highly deserving recipient of this year's award. She has aspirational career ambitions, achieved academic excellence and has an unselfish high regard for others. She has made a highly significant personal contribution to the community and St Mary's College.”