One bursary, countless ripples When AJ’s former Headmaster suggested he apply for a Sixth Form bursary at Dulwich College, his mother, Sasha, was at a crossroads in her personal life. After years of working in the voluntary sector and running I AM IN ME, a charity supporting at-risk young people, she was questioning whether her work was making the difference she had hoped for, while also worrying about how best to support her son. AJ knew of Dulwich through its partnership work with his school, but it had always felt far beyond reach. When the offer of a bursary came, it presented an opportunity neither he nor Sasha had imagined possible. Starting Sixth Form was both exciting and daunting, but the support AJ received at the College made all the difference. Exceptional teaching and ambitious peers helped him flourish academically and personally. When AJ was offered a donor-funded opportunity to attend university football camps in the United States, And AJ’s bursary did more than transform his own experience. Motivated by seeing her son’s opportunities through education, Sasha found new inspiration in her own work and began reaching more young people than ever. Through a charitable partnership with Dulwich College, the impact of I AM IN ME extended further than before, supporting many more young people across the wider local community. it broadened his horizons and reshaped how he imagined his future.
“Being around pupils who strived to do their best changed how I thought about myself. It pushed me to be better.”
AJ Harris OA (22-24)
“Seeing the word congratulations… I thought of my dad, who couldn’t read or write. I was the first in my family to go to university. Now my son was the first to attend a school like Dulwich. It felt generational.”
Sasha Gay Smith, AJ’s Mum
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