LTC bursaries: A different school of thought
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has been helping families of the drinks trade since 1794. Its founders saw a need to care for the children and orphans of publicans and offer them a better future through education. It founded its first school in London in 1803 and, although the world has changed hugely during the time that has passed, the charity’s ethos hasn’t. Its vision to develop caring, confident citizens for the future remains as relevant today as ever.
Over the past 14 years, the charity has helped more than 126 pupils in challenging situations through its educational sponsorship scheme. Director of marketing & charity services Liz Gaffer explains: “For some families, running a pub can bring challenges and the LTC is here to help. One way we support parents is by providing an excellent education to their children at our school, Licensed Victuallers’ School (LVS) Ascot.”
Sarah Webb and her family sought help from the charity some years ago. Webb recalls: “My marriage had broken down. It was very hard trying to balance running the pub with looking after the children. Many times I remember leaving them playing in the bath while I had to help in the bar. I had very good regulars who would watch the bar while I collected the children from school.”
Excellent results
Having heard about the LTC’s educational support through a local trade group, she contacted the charity. Webb explains: “I visited the school and saw the wonderful facilities, pastoral care and excellent academic results. So the decision to send my children, Adam and Nikki, there was made much easier. Getting used to the idea I was sending my then seven and nine-year-olds away to school was hard. It was the right decision though. The children have benefited from an excellent education and have gained wonderful social skills and confidence as a result.”
Webb’s son Adam is now a volunteer of the charity and has a successful career in the drinks industry. He says: “The charity is close to my heart. The opportunity to attend LVS Ascot was a huge benefit. It has set me up for life. I want to get the message across to the industry, that the LTC is here to help.” He talks about how his teachers pushed him to see things from a different perspective and how that had a great impact on his view of the world. He adds: “It instils a mentality of challenging yourself and gives you the confidence to try new things. “
Sam Billington was a student at LVS Ascot for eight years under the educational sponsorship scheme when his family was experiencing a difficult time. He flourished while at the school and worked incredibly hard to gain a place at Oxford University and is now a financial analyst in the City of London.
Christine Cunniffe, principal of LVS Ascot explains how the school seeks to realise the full potential of each and every child within its care. She says: “We provide a learning environment that challenges, enthuses and encourages initiative, so that children leave our school with the skills and attributes needed for their future. The emphasis is on pupils developing as individuals.”
Importance of facilities
The founders understood, even 200 years ago, the importance of good facilities. When they extended the Kennington Lane, Lambeth, school in 1836 to welcome a growing number of pupils, they built the first indoor swimming pool of any school in the UK. Now relocated to Ascot, the school boasts a purpose-built theatre, music technology suite, swimming pool, sports centre, fitness centre and drama studio.
LVS Ascot offers:
- A secure, happy and flexible school environment
- A broad and balanced curriculum, taught in small class groups
- Renowned pastoral care and highly trained staff
- Purpose-built campus with on-site boarding if required
Would you, or someone you know benefit from the LTC’s support with a highly valuable educational sponsorship at LVS Ascot? You might feel that your child is not getting the best education in their current school to enable them to fulfil their full potential. It might be that your long hours or a difficult family situation is impacting on their home life and affecting their school work. If you think they would benefit from attending LVS Ascot and you have worked in the drinks industry continuously for five years, give the LTC a call.
The team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Call 01344 898 550 for a confidential chat.
The LTC is currently assessing children for places starting in September 2017, so find out more today.
- For more info about the school visit www.supportandcare.org/educationalsupport
