Today, we were delighted to award the first certificates and cash prizes to Alex, Daisy, Heather, Leigha, and (a camera shy) Shannon in recognition of their excellence in STEM subjects. The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust was established in memory of Charlotte Hosker, who tragically died from meningitis at the age of just 12 years. Charlotte was a young person with hopes, dreams and ambitions for the future, but she never had the opportunity to fulfil them. In her memory, the Trust was created to help other young people realise their potential, achieve their ambitions and pursue opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their reach. The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust has a particular focus on encouraging and supporting female students who aspire to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – the STEM subjects. These fields are vital to our future and offer exciting opportunities for innovation, discovery and problem-solving.

The aims of the Trust are to:

• Promote female participation in STEM subjects.
• Support disadvantaged students in establishing careers in STEM.
• Offer financial support to students who may face challenges in continuing their sixth-form studies.
• Support qualifying students from The Purbeck School and help the school maintain its reputation as a centre of excellence for STEM education. 

The trust was set up last year, and these are the first Girls in STEM Awards, recognising students who have demonstrated enthusiasm, talent, determination and engagement in their chosen STEM subjects.