93% Club – Bristol’s State School Society shortlisted for national award

By Lucy Downer, Deputy News Editor

If successful at the awards ceremony in London, the society will win £1000 of funding.

The 93% Club: University of Bristol’s State School Society has been shortlisted for the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the Bright Network’s national Society of the Year Awards.

The award is for a society which has promoted inclusion at their university and has supported their members to discover future career opportunities.

Liberty O’Hagan, President of The 93% Club, said:
'I’m so pleased to celebrate the success of the 93% state school club. Being shortlisted for Bright Network’s Diversity and Inclusion Award is such a proud moment for the committee.'

'So far this year we have hosted socials, academic and career related workshops and an education panel with leading journalists and Widening Participation representatives. We are really aiming to give students who may not have the same contacts or opportunities a chance, and to create an inclusive atmosphere at Bristol.'

image003-2

The committee at the Welcome Fair.

The 93% Club was set up to help break down the divide between state and private school students, ensuring that students from disadvantaged educational backgrounds have the same positive experience at the University of Bristol.

Liberty continues: 'When the society was first set up it faced a lot of backlash. Three years on and we are continuing to do great work for state school students in Bristol.'

'In 2017, Bristol took in 61.4% of state school students, which is lower than Cambridge and a stark difference to the national average of 93% state educated citizens. It is fantastic recognition how important the society is, and hopefully will spur more societies to be set up across the U.K as we are hoping to expand nationally'

The video submitted by the 93% Club for their nomination can be viewed below.