Nottinghamshire
Children and Young People
Max and Izzy’s story
In September 2021, Worksop College were delighted to welcome their first transformational bursary student, Max. Max joined on a fully-funded place for the entirety of his education, thanks to the unwavering support of the Freemasonry community.
Max also received a Cricket Exhibition, which saw him enrolled on the school’s cricket scholarship programme to nurture his talent and passion for the sport.
Max’s first year was largely funded through the MCF, with additional support from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire, as well as the Old Worksopian Lodge, the member lodge closely connected to the college. We have committed to funding the entirety of Max’s education for the remainder of his time at the college.
Max’s Mother, Kerrie endorses the impact this opportunity has had on her son; “Max was attending his local comprehensive school when he was offered a part scholarship in cricket at Worksop College. That, along with the help from the MCF and Nottinghamshire Freemasonry, has seen him develop into a very different person. His love of learning has been restored and his grades and effort are consistently improving. The support from the school has been incredible, and the young man he is today is an example of that. He is becoming a strong, caring and independent young man whose morals, values and integrity reflect that of the school and home life partnership.
His involvement with cricket and the support he has received has helped him to become a strong young cricketer, as well as being a constant first team player of the school’s hockey team. He has embraced all the opportunities the college has to offer, from the Dorm Run to House Song!
Without this incredible opportunity, Max would have continued to struggle in the school he used to attend. We will be forever grateful for this opportunity and experience that the MCF have facilitated.”
As a former cricket scholar and bursary recipient at Worksop College, I know how lifechanging this opportunity can be. I have seen a huge amount of growth in Max over the last 18 months – Worksop has helped him mature and take responsibility, which has been fantastic to see. His cricket skills are continuing to improve as he becomes a stronger player and most importantly, he is enjoying the journey. I look forward to continuing to watch him flourish in a sport that he loves.
Some impressive names from Max’s school include cricketers, Joe Root, Samit Patel, and Richard Kettleborough.
In September 2022 Max was joined by older sister Izzy, who entered the college at sixth form level.
Izzy very quickly settled within the community and has been a vibrant and helpful addition to the school ever since. Izzy’s Tutor, Lisa Gill said, “Izzy is working well and is making good progress. In her most recent report, her attitude to learning across all subjects is what is expected/above what is expected. She just received a C in Art and graphics in the internal exams (Alis grade is a B – so on track to achieve her target grade). CTEC in Business, her projected grade is a merit (working above her Alis grade of a pass).”
Transformational bursaries such as these are life-changing and in the case of Max and Izzy it has been just that. After losing their Father in June 2019, both children struggled with the trauma of the situation and were left feeling lost and unsupported in their local state schools.
Lucy continues; “Their late Father was an active member of Crowle Lodge, with his Father and Great Grandfather also Masons in the region. The connection with the Masonic community, offered some real scope to look at finding a way of supporting Max in the first instance; offering him a supportive and nurturing environment that would help him not only progress as a cricketer, but give him the confidence, strength and resilience to develop as an individual; an ethos that runs through the core of the college and aligns very much with the values held by the Freemason community.
It has been an absolute joy to watch Max and Izzy’s respective journeys through the college and I look forward to watching them continuing to grow.
I am passionate about transforming young lives and cherish the relationship we have established with the wider Freemasonry community which has enabled this opportunity and ultimately enables us to support not one, but two deserving young people.”
