Aniya

Why did you choose to come to The Bulmershe School?

Bulmershe was the obvious choice for me. The Year 7 open evening is still a vivid memory - the warm, welcoming atmosphere from all of the teachers and students was a clear indication of how supportive Bulmershe is. The presentations were professionally delivered, the department teachers were genuinely passionate about their subjects and the facilities were outstanding. Whilst some schools have a subject they’re particularly proud of, every subject at Bulmershe seemed to be of “specialist” quality. I strongly felt that whichever path I wished to pursue, Bulmershe would be able to support my studies and extracurricular interests fantastically. 

Since starting in Year 7, Bulmershe has exceeded my expectations. My learning experience here has been nothing short of engaging and memorable. Solely applying for Bulmershe’s Sixth Form also seemed like a natural choice - the quality of teaching and our school community are irreplaceable.

How has The Bulmershe School inspired you to strive for your aspirations and dreams?  

My teachers have never once doubted my ability to achieve. The support from my previous maths teacher, Mrs Mulvihill, and her encouragement to aim high has led to my desire to pursue a career in Engineering. My A-Level teachers are available at any hour of the day to support me with anything from a silly question to university application guidance. Having teachers who enjoy their subjects has inspired me to pursue further education in a field I love. I am also very fortunate to have many like-minded friends who are highly motivated and passionate about their own subjects; being surrounded by dedicated students gives me the confidence to be as hard-working as my peers.

How do you feel the co-curricular (extra-curricular clubs, trips, opportunities) experience at The Bulmershe School has benefited you? 

Throughout my journey at Bulmershe, I have been met with a number of exceptional activities to develop my character. Firstly, I have had the opportunity to complete Bronze, Silver and more recently, Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards [DofE]. DofE at Bulmershe has allowed me to not only develop physical, organisational and teamwork skills, but I have built long lasting memories. Additionally, I’ll be able to apply to University with all three qualifications, an achievement to set me apart from other students my age.

I have also been greatly benefitted by Bulmershe through school trips such as the Netball PGL trip in Year 10, numerous theatre trips to see Broadway productions and Oxford University visits. These experiences have moulded me into a perseverant individual, unafraid to take on a new challenge!

What would you say is your favourite moment so far in your time at The Bulmershe School? 

It is very difficult to narrow down my experience at Bulmershe to one favourite moment. However, my role as “Matilda” in our school production in 2021 will always be a memory I will look back on fondly. Through the Drama department, I experienced self confidence and belonging, something I will always be grateful for. Most of all, I was able to learn from the older Sixth Form cast members as a Year 9 - their wisdom and mentoring was invaluable. The Drama department dedicate themselves wholeheartedly for months before school productions are showcased - the sense of community spirit I have experienced through them speaks volumes to how hard working they are.

What is your favourite subject and why?  

Despite making silly mistakes often, Maths and Physics are undoubtedly my favourite subjects. Physics is built upon facts and critical thinking - I appreciate that any problem can be solved with just the right amount of reasoning in the right direction, and if you veer off track, the teachers at Bulmershe are fantastic at placing you back on the right path. In a similar way, I love that there is (usually) one right answer in Maths, and it is not up to interpretation. The problem solving nature of Maths and the satisfaction that comes from conquering a seemingly insurmountable topic is an unbeatable feeling. Maths has encouraged me to be confident in my abilities and has built up my tenacity.

What advice would you give to a student about to join The Bulmershe School? 

To any new Year 7s, I would encourage you to stay true to yourself and what you love. The right friends will find you and appreciate your character for what it is. Don’t be afraid to get involved with clubs and new extracurricular activities even if you’re not perfect at them first go - nobody expects you to be. Although some lessons may be tricky or feel unnatural to you, give everything your best effort and persevere, you’ll never regret trying. Finally, don’t be scared to put your hand up and ask a “silly” question - the chances are high that someone else is wondering the exact same thing!