Adam’s Story

Adam first learned about Westholme when he drove past a bus stop advertisement in his hometown of Adlington, Chorley. As a determined 16 year old, he noticed a poster for Westholme Scholarships and in his own words, “thought, you know, there’s nothing to lose really, might as well apply.” Without telling any of his family, Adam went home and submitted his application for the Sixth Form.

After securing an interview with the Principal of Westholme, he finally informed his dad, explaining that he only needed a lift to attend. Following a successful interview process, Adam was awarded a full scholarship to Westholme.

Adam remembers telling his Year 11 teachers about his application. They emphasised the importance of choosing the right school, suggesting that a private education might not be the best fit for him and reassuring him that other colleges would be a fine alternative. Determined to prove them wrong and make the most of his education, Adam arrived at Westholme for the first time with confidence and purpose.

During his time in the Sixth Form, Adam studied Chemistry, Physics and French, combining his passion for STEM with an enthusiasm for languages. Reflecting on his time in the Sixth Form, Adam shared, “To kind of go back in time and remember Sixth Form, it was really sociable and full of amazing opportunities. When people ask me, I always say it was like being in a high school atmosphere because the classes were small but you still had adult freedom. I felt really supported in everything I did and because of that, I wanted to stretch myself.”

When it came time to apply for degrees, Adam wanted to strengthen his application. He took the initiative to run the French Society and tutored younger students in their studies. He recalls getting involved in a wide range of enrichment activities outside of lessons and his biggest takeaway was, “If I wanted to do something, it typically was always there.”

During his time at Westholme, Adam had the opportunity to hear from local businesses and alumni who introduced him to the world of Degree Apprenticeships. Inspired by their experiences, he decided to put his university applications on hold and apply for several Degree Apprenticeships within the STEM industry. Reflecting on that decision, Adam said, “I came into Westholme with the scholarship and it was a big confidence boost for me. People believed in my abilities and I understood that I was capable of achieving opportunities in good places. It all draws back to that feeling of being supported. Westholme is the behind the scenes, giving you the building blocks to shape who you become. That kind of support can really make a person.”

Adam successfully secured a Degree Apprenticeship with an aerospace engineering company and is now two years into his five year programme. Looking ahead, he hopes to travel with the company, which has bases around the world.