About The Keller Foundation
Having worked in the Education sector for a number of years, I have watched the Education Sector go through many changes with, possibly the greatest impact being the phasing out of grants, replacing these with student fees and loans. The financial burden on both the student and their families has been immense. In a huge number of cases the financial commitment and the widespread reliance of prohibitively expensive student loans has brought extreme hardship for students and family alike.
So, I am launching the Keller Foundation, investing in the region’s future and our young people.
Many households in our region will find entry to higher education a burden. A hardworking family can ill afford the fees. Youngsters with great potential, so much to offer . . . so much talent in our region are missing out on the opportunity of a University Education because for many it’s down to a straight choice between studying or living.
For those that take the brave decision to study find they are faced with sacrifice, struggle and poverty while they pursue their further education. Many are forced to quit and return to their families, or the dole queue. Those that do complete their education are often faced with years of repaying the debts they have built up.
The Keller Foundation is being set up to help students from less well-off families pursue their dream of a University Education.
Starting in September 2010 Educating Resourcing are offering a full scholarship to one student living in the North/North East Lincolnshire region. The scholarship will provide FULL COURSE FEES and ALL MATERIALS for the WHOLE duration of the course.
Degree courses are now possible to study at both North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe and the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education. The student who is successful in gaining the scholarship from the Keller Foundation will be offered the choice to study at either of these two centres – whichever suits their location.
Local schools and colleges will be invited to put forward applications of students whose family incomes are less than £30,000 per year. This way we can be sure the help we are offering can be focused in the right place.
In addition, the Keller Foundation will be sponsoring one place at the Lincolnshire Montessori School … awarding one child from the region aged between 4 & 11 a place at this prestigious school.
Run by Theresa Ellerby and Sylvia Archer, this school was awarded the Excellence in Training award at the 2010 North Lincolnshire Business Awards. A tremendous achievement for the school, … recognizing the commitment and effort all their staff put into making the Montessori Education the amazing experience it is for so many children.
It has always been our dream that the Keller Foundation can help to provide the highest quality of education to those most able to flourish, but who are least able to afford it.
We believe this is the only initiative of its type in the region, and I am so proud that, through the Foundation, we are able to continue supporting the education of young people. We are looking for a wide variety of interest – from business, science, doctors and even sport – Who knows, we might just find the next Kelly Holmes, Jamie Oliver or Lord Sugar right here in the northern Lincolnshire regions.
The Keller Foundation is not a here today, gone tomorrow initiative, and we will continue this support well into the future … but to continue we will need help in the years to come – so we would like to invite local business and organizations from the region to come on board. For instance, if each business gave just £50 a year (that’s less than a £1 a week) to the Keller Foundation we could rapidly raise enough money to sustain this sponsorship well into the next decade … and beyond, helping the largest number of youngsters possible. The company who kindly recorded the video, Resolution Television, have already kicked things off with the first donation of £50 – which amongst you will be next please . . .
I would like to thank all those that have helped to put the Foundation together and I look forward to receiving everybody’s support in this ground breaking programme.
Thank you.
Testimonial from The RT Hon David Willetts MP:
See our letter from The RT Hon David Willetts MP, who took the time to get in touch!
