I grew up in the borough of Tower Hamlets, East London.
I always say it’s more than a post code – it’s a community and it’s where my imagination took root.
The idea of applying to Cambridge felt like a fantasy.
Hardly anyone in my state school applied to Oxbridge. Opportunities like this can feel out of reach when you grow up in social housing as I did. I had great teachers though. My form tutor was pivotal in helping me think about Cambridge. She said you’ve got the grades, why not apply? I also had access to good advice through a free mentoring platform called Zero Gravity which matched me with a mentor from a similar background. My art teacher was also a beacon of support when I was creating my portfolio to apply to Cambridge.
Grabbing opportunities has always been a lifeline for me.
