What is Aspira
For the majority of my time at secondary school, I was at the bottom of the class. In fact, my performance was so awful, that I was placed in a form specifically for those who needed extra support, and I was asked to drop multiple subjects. Of course, as an easily influenced teenager, this was extremely embarrassing. It felt like my teachers did not believe in me, my parents rightfully did not believe in me, and most importantly, I struggled to believe in myself.
Eventually, however, something changed. In the following years, I became a top performer in the United Kingdom, having achieved top GCSEs and A-levels, and being placed in the top 25% of my cohort in my years as a medical student.
And so this begs the question, what changed?
My environment. My friends had high expectations for themselves and began to study more frequently. And so with all those around me working hard to perform well, this developed my will and drive. I was able to study with purpose, and I had a clear internal goal in terms of what I wanted to achieve. We are a reflection of those we spend our time around. Iron sharpens iron. And so what I had come to realise regarding my time in School, was that the benefit of Grammar schools lay in creating an institution that raised the standards of what students saw in themselves. Rather than their value being external, through their teachers or resources, it is the development of a student's internal passion and a sense of healthy competition that leads to true success.
The issue is, not everyone has access to Grammar schools. And this is what sparked my journey to Aspira. I wanted to remove the barrier of access to education for those with high aspirations and develop a community in which students support one another in maximising their capabilities.
Eventually, however, something changed. In the following years, I became a top performer in the United Kingdom, having achieved top GCSEs and A-levels, and being placed in the top 25% of my cohort in my years as a medical student.
And so this begs the question, what changed?
My environment. My friends had high expectations for themselves and began to study more frequently. And so with all those around me working hard to perform well, this developed my will and drive. I was able to study with purpose, and I had a clear internal goal in terms of what I wanted to achieve. We are a reflection of those we spend our time around. Iron sharpens iron. And so what I had come to realise regarding my time in School, was that the benefit of Grammar schools lay in creating an institution that raised the standards of what students saw in themselves. Rather than their value being external, through their teachers or resources, it is the development of a student's internal passion and a sense of healthy competition that leads to true success.
The issue is, not everyone has access to Grammar schools. And this is what sparked my journey to Aspira. I wanted to remove the barrier of access to education for those with high aspirations and develop a community in which students support one another in maximising their capabilities.
ReeceFounder
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