ISABELLE SPENCER AWARDS
These awards are made possible by the generous bequest from Isabelle Spencer to Witney Educational Foundation.
2024
Charlie Drewett-Allen
Charlie's open mind and willingness to soak up knowledge and information, has enabled him to work on a number of varied productions throughout his time at college. He has developed a particularly sophisticated single camera production skillset. This has seen Charlie shoot multiple student projects and he has been able to employ diverse and varied forms of cinematography. Charlie sees every job as a chance to improve and polish existing skills, while developing new skills on set. Charlie has worked with some major companies, including Nike, Netflix and the BBC. Charlie's time at college has seen him get the absolute most out of the experience. He will be heading off to university with a wealth of media production experience.
Ella Milligan
Ella is a hard-working student who excels in the academic side of the Drama course producing insightful and analytical essays on our set texts and live theatre experiences. She has grown in confidence as a performer over the A-level course and challenged herself in a range of performance styles concluding the course with a powerful performance as Mary Warren in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This final performance showed off her naturalistic acting skills having thoroughly explored Stanislavski's acting techniques. Ella has also participated in a range of extra-curricular performances during her time at The Henry Box School including a recent production of The 39 Steps where she showed off her fantastic multi-role skills playing a number of different characters.
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Robyn StratfordRobyn is an exceptional designer. Her body of work shows a deep understanding of the role of design in making the world a better place for everyone. Grounded in sustainability and equality, her A-level NEA project enabled an amputee to use gym equipment otherwise unavailable to them. This piece of work is the culmination of Robyn's design journey throughout her school career, always passionate about developing her designs through making, understanding the processes required to manufacture and applying her knowledge to problem solving, she has become incredibly proficient. Rarely choosing a simple or straightforward challenge, she has an eye for detail and is dogged in her pursuit of design perfection. Robyn leaves us to study for a Product Design degree at Loughborough University. I look forward to her design work appearing in the Design Museum.
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2023
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Sophie Bridges
Sophie has developed her Art and Textiles skills enormously over the last two years during her A level Study. She has participated in many Fine Art workshops including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture. She chose to specialise in Fine Art Textiles and has explored diverse processes and techniques within this specialism, for example using the heat press, fusing materials, embroidery, lino printing to name a few. She has taught herself knitting, crochet and how to use the sewing machine. Sophie challenged herself to participate in numerous workshops at Higher Education establishments in order to further her knowledge and experience.
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Leo Iley
Leo is a true art student: he is completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma after successfully completing the Level 2 Diploma. Leo is a sensitive and ambitious student whose commitment and dedication to the arts has grown and allowed him to explore and strengthen his skills. With outstanding attendance and punctuality, he has experimented over the course fully and his confidence has grown within himself and the work he produces. He communicates at a mature level and persists to produce work that continues to highlight his interest in the creative arts. His delight in drawing and painting is evident, and he is continually gaining confidence in his application both at college and autonomously at home at all hours of the morning! He works well with concept and his ideas are developed with avid research and personal meaning. Leo has been offered places at both Oxford and Reading to study Fine Art.
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Gemma Rice
Gemma's creative writing portrays profound insight and maturity beyond her years. She was awarded the second prize in the Keats-Shelley Young Romantics poetry competition in 2022, with her poem, 'Elegy for Hedgehog'. One of the judges, poet and writer Fiona Sampson, praised Gemma's poem as “A wryly perceptive reflection on mutability, this poem moves past mere description to imaginative reconstruction. This is a good summary of Gemma‘s writing: perceptive and imaginative, reflecting an ability to engage with the subtleties of both the world around her and the work of other writers. She has also been long-listed for the prestigious Christopher Tower Poetry Competition this year, writing on the theme of 'The Planets'. She has a sharp eye for detail and expands great creative energy seeking to make the lines of her work sound just right to capture the idea she wants to convey. She reads voraciously and widely, and her analysis is just as acute – often challenging her teachers to look again at the text they may have been teaching for years! .
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2022
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Kaitlyn Noble
Kaitlyn is a very talented and hardworking Sixth Form student at The Henry Box School taking A levels in Art and Design, Drama and Theatre, and Mathematics.
She has made exceptional progress throughout her time at The Henry Box School. She always listens to advice and has flourished as an artist. Kaitlyn’s dress making and textile skills are excellent; this was demonstrated in the dress that she made for her GCSE coursework. She made her own fabric, designed and made the dress. During her A level Art course, Kaitlyn has focussed primarily on the theme Transform, developing her textiles skills and processes as well as her drawing and painting skills. Kaitlyn has always worked extremely independently, showing both initiative and conscientiousness. She utilises every new technique we introduce and finds a way of incorporating them within her work. We have been very impressed with the determination and resilience Kaitlyn has shown during the course of her studies. Kaitlyn has risen admirably to the challenge of A level Drama. She did not study Drama at GCSE level and has worked hard to learn a great deal about theatre history, styles and performance over the last two years. Kaitlyn has specialised as a costume designer, which has enabled her to use her fantastic creative and artistic skills to design costumes for a Kneehigh Theatre inspired devised piece based on fairy tales. She designed and created a versatile, reversable costume for a multi-role actor which played an integral part in the success of the performance. She also designed a nineteenth century period costume for a naturalistic play which required detailed planning in the design phase and high-level skill in the construction. Kaitlyn has shown fantastic independence and flair in both the design and construction phase of her costume work, and her final designs reflect this. Kaitlyn wishes to pursue a career in Fashion Design and has applied to study Fashion and Textile Design at university. |
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Lorna McBain
It is with great pleasure that Wood Green School nominates Lorna McBain for the Isabelle Spencer Bursary.
William Blake said, “The imagination is not a state: it is the human existence itself.” Lorna embodies this. Her creativity is an intrinsic part of who she is. Since I have had the pleasure of knowing her, she has engaged independently with writing creatively. In 2021 she was awarded 3rd place for the prestigious HART prize. She has had her writing published in the Stratford Literary Festival Book 2021. She has submitted writing, and been published, in many magazines from Risen, Ice Lolly Review and Outlander 'Zine to The Global Youth Review and was asked to contribute to 'It happens here' - a blog associated with Warwick University. Her own creativity and love for writing poetry, plays and stories aside, she has helped set up and run a Creative Writing Club this academic year at Wood Green School. Lorna is leaving us to pursue further studies in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at University but could never stop writing. She has plans to write a screen play, short stories and will never not be writing poetry; her first collection is due to be completed next year. Her passion for literature and her ongoing commitment to creative writing is inspirational. |
Robert Edward
Robert, known affectionately to all of us as Bob, has been successfully studying at college over a five- year period. Bob came to college from school and started his journey on the Level 1 Award course within Art and Design. It was here that he very much started his creative journey, working hard with staff to realise and achieve his goals. Since then, Bob’s creativity and achievements have gone form strength to strength.
At times, Bob had to deal with personal issues that could have impacted his work significantly. Bob, however, would never let this happen, and demonstrated huge resilience and independence in overcoming these barriers and focussing his attention and energy into his creative work. Bob is a student that shows kindness, passion and determination in all that he does; these skills have also seen him be our most approachable faculty rep. He is also blessed with an excellent sense of humour that never fails to keep the group he works with going.
The next part of Bob’s journey will take him to Portsmouth University where he will study a BA Hons in Illustration and I have no doubt that he will be a huge success in all that he does. No one deserves it more than Bob!
At times, Bob had to deal with personal issues that could have impacted his work significantly. Bob, however, would never let this happen, and demonstrated huge resilience and independence in overcoming these barriers and focussing his attention and energy into his creative work. Bob is a student that shows kindness, passion and determination in all that he does; these skills have also seen him be our most approachable faculty rep. He is also blessed with an excellent sense of humour that never fails to keep the group he works with going.
The next part of Bob’s journey will take him to Portsmouth University where he will study a BA Hons in Illustration and I have no doubt that he will be a huge success in all that he does. No one deserves it more than Bob!
2021
Katie Leeming
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Katie Leeming is a hugely talented and worthy recipient of the 2021 Isabelle Spencer Bursary Award.
Throughout her Drama and Theatre Studies A level course, Katie has demonstrated creative skill, raw energy and ability. She is highly skilled at Naturalism and is highly adept at physical theatre. Despite the challenges of lockdown, Katie remained focused and committed to furthering her skills and knowledge, and demonstrated huge resilience when faced with the inevitable changes to the planned devised performance. Katie developed her leadership and directing skills to excellent effect during the A level course. She is an enthusiastic and committed drama student with a passion for live theatre. Katie is an invaluable member of the Henry Box community who has joined student leadership teams, participated in music concerts and presented the school’s Open Day video. Katie’s substantial extra-curricular drama experience demonstrates her commitment and dedication to the subject. She has attended the West End Stage Theatre Summer School at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has attended Stagecoach from a very young age and became a teaching assistant in the early stages section of the school, helping teach children from the ages of three to seven in singing, acting and dancing. Katie has performed in a pantomime at a local theatre and reached the final stages of the audition process for ‘Shrek the Musical’ and ‘Hairspray’. She has also taken piano and performing arts exams. Katie wishes to pursue a theatre career and has applied for a Musical Theatre course at university. |
Kayleigh Griva
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media & Technologies – Abingdon & Witney College
Kayleigh is an all-round excellent student in the Arts. Her practical and theory-based work is always of a very high standard and she is super-motivated. She is both curious and creative and this has been of real benefit since starting college. Kayleigh is always prepared to go the extra mile and carries out all manner of research to investigate and innovate in her field of Creative Media. This has helped Kayleigh develop a very well-rounded understanding of cinematography and editing. In her first year, she demonstrated this through a meticulous execution of a well-paced, character driven music video. Her work shows expressive, engaging and considered storytelling, enabled by the significant time and effort Kayleigh invests in it.
Kayleigh's understanding of Creative Media shows a maturity beyond her years. This has been especially evident in the creation and development of her final project this year. Kayleigh's research processes have been insightful and useful to the development of her body of work. This has informed her own personal development and a sophisticated understanding of the world around her. She is respected by her peers due to the high standard of her work, but also her leadership and her ability to lift the working practice of her classmates.
Kayleigh has had an amazing two years at college, and we anticipate that she will continue to make valuable contributions to our material, emotional, social, and virtual worlds as a creative practitioner. We wish her well in the next phase of her formal education where she will continue her studies at University.
Kayleigh hopes to go on to study Film Production at either Solent University or University of Salford.
Kayleigh is an all-round excellent student in the Arts. Her practical and theory-based work is always of a very high standard and she is super-motivated. She is both curious and creative and this has been of real benefit since starting college. Kayleigh is always prepared to go the extra mile and carries out all manner of research to investigate and innovate in her field of Creative Media. This has helped Kayleigh develop a very well-rounded understanding of cinematography and editing. In her first year, she demonstrated this through a meticulous execution of a well-paced, character driven music video. Her work shows expressive, engaging and considered storytelling, enabled by the significant time and effort Kayleigh invests in it.
Kayleigh's understanding of Creative Media shows a maturity beyond her years. This has been especially evident in the creation and development of her final project this year. Kayleigh's research processes have been insightful and useful to the development of her body of work. This has informed her own personal development and a sophisticated understanding of the world around her. She is respected by her peers due to the high standard of her work, but also her leadership and her ability to lift the working practice of her classmates.
Kayleigh has had an amazing two years at college, and we anticipate that she will continue to make valuable contributions to our material, emotional, social, and virtual worlds as a creative practitioner. We wish her well in the next phase of her formal education where she will continue her studies at University.
Kayleigh hopes to go on to study Film Production at either Solent University or University of Salford.
Amber Jones
It is with great pleasure that Wood Green School nominates Amber Jones for the Isabelle Spencer Bursary.
Amber has been an outstanding student throughout the A Level Fine Art course, approaching her work with positivity, passion and astonishing creativity. Amber becomes fully immersed in her work, thinking far beyond the literal interpretation of a theme and is prepared to explore new concepts and experiment with extremely wide ranging materials. Her current Personal Investigation explores the theme of ‘perspective’, encompassing traditional drawing techniques and devices and extending into a more conceptual and psychological interpretation. She has produced work in print, textiles, paint, photography and wood etching using hot blades. She thrives on diverse approaches and techniques.
She is truly a ‘creative’, with a determination to interrogate a theme and produce her own, personal outcomes. I am thrilled that she has gained a place on the exceptionally competitive and prestigious Foundation Course at Oxford Brookes and am excited to see how her career develops.
Amber has been an outstanding student throughout the A Level Fine Art course, approaching her work with positivity, passion and astonishing creativity. Amber becomes fully immersed in her work, thinking far beyond the literal interpretation of a theme and is prepared to explore new concepts and experiment with extremely wide ranging materials. Her current Personal Investigation explores the theme of ‘perspective’, encompassing traditional drawing techniques and devices and extending into a more conceptual and psychological interpretation. She has produced work in print, textiles, paint, photography and wood etching using hot blades. She thrives on diverse approaches and techniques.
She is truly a ‘creative’, with a determination to interrogate a theme and produce her own, personal outcomes. I am thrilled that she has gained a place on the exceptionally competitive and prestigious Foundation Course at Oxford Brookes and am excited to see how her career develops.
2020
Maisy Charlett
Maisy was nominated for one of the 2020 Isabelle Spencer Awards by her Art and Design course leader and the Head of Faculty, Oxfordshire Creative Academy. The nomination was supported and approved by the Principal, Abingdon & Witney College.
When nominating Maisy her course leader wrote: "Maisy has been our student for two years and over that period we have seen her blossom into one of the brightest, honest, caring and gifted students we have ever worked with. Maisy is completing the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design and is predicted a Distinction grade, the equivalent to three A* grades at A level.
"Her achievement is outstanding, so much so that in a recent assessment we felt it necessary to call the whole art staff team to come and witness the phenomenal quality, research, creativity and craftsmanship exuding her prolific body of artwork.
"Maisy gained a Distinction grade at the end of her first year and has progressed throughout the second year with just as much commitment and excitement in her creative work. Maisy’s current artwork is based on the modern-life phenomenon of ‘losing’ our tangible paper-based memories as we shift to digital recording. There is always a nostalgia to her work with a contemporary edge as she dabbles in current themes and processes whilst continuing to be true to her subject’s roots. There are always hidden tangents within her visual outcomes so, as a viewer, you never see the same thing twice.
"Maisy enjoyed a successful work experience placement at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock where she learnt about museum curation, display and arts administration. She has been successful in the next step of her progression plan to study Fine Art at higher level. She has been keenly offered places on all the university courses she has applied for. Maisy plans to take a gap year to develop her professional skills by working in the family business before starting university at either Oxford Brookes or Bath Spa.
"Maisy is exceptionally talented, and her resilience, drive and exemplary communication skills enable her ongoing achievement. Her work ethic is like no other we have seen, and we sometimes wonder if she ever goes to sleep! It has been a pleasure and a treat to teach Maisy. We are incredibly proud to be able to put her forward for the Isabelle Spencer Bursary to mark her achievements and excellence in the arts. This prestigious award will support her move into higher education and a very prosperous career in the Creative Industries."
When nominating Maisy her course leader wrote: "Maisy has been our student for two years and over that period we have seen her blossom into one of the brightest, honest, caring and gifted students we have ever worked with. Maisy is completing the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design and is predicted a Distinction grade, the equivalent to three A* grades at A level.
"Her achievement is outstanding, so much so that in a recent assessment we felt it necessary to call the whole art staff team to come and witness the phenomenal quality, research, creativity and craftsmanship exuding her prolific body of artwork.
"Maisy gained a Distinction grade at the end of her first year and has progressed throughout the second year with just as much commitment and excitement in her creative work. Maisy’s current artwork is based on the modern-life phenomenon of ‘losing’ our tangible paper-based memories as we shift to digital recording. There is always a nostalgia to her work with a contemporary edge as she dabbles in current themes and processes whilst continuing to be true to her subject’s roots. There are always hidden tangents within her visual outcomes so, as a viewer, you never see the same thing twice.
"Maisy enjoyed a successful work experience placement at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock where she learnt about museum curation, display and arts administration. She has been successful in the next step of her progression plan to study Fine Art at higher level. She has been keenly offered places on all the university courses she has applied for. Maisy plans to take a gap year to develop her professional skills by working in the family business before starting university at either Oxford Brookes or Bath Spa.
"Maisy is exceptionally talented, and her resilience, drive and exemplary communication skills enable her ongoing achievement. Her work ethic is like no other we have seen, and we sometimes wonder if she ever goes to sleep! It has been a pleasure and a treat to teach Maisy. We are incredibly proud to be able to put her forward for the Isabelle Spencer Bursary to mark her achievements and excellence in the arts. This prestigious award will support her move into higher education and a very prosperous career in the Creative Industries."
Martha Langley
Martha was nominated for one of this year’s Isabelle Spencer Awards by the Head of Drama at Wood Green School, Witney, where she is a year 13 student. The award was supported and approved by the Head-teacher.
Martha has been studying Drama and Theatre, English Literature and Design & Technology for her A levels.
When nominating Martha the head of Drama wrote: “Martha has been an exceptional Drama student. Her imagination and flair is truly inspiring. Martha is one of those students who immerses herself in her creative projects. This was particularly the case when Martha decided she wanted to create a set design for her group’s devised piece of Drama in Year 12. Martha may as well have lived in the Drama Department during those weeks, sourcing set from unused equipment and furniture from around the school, charming the site staff to help her in her quest.”
The head of Drama added: “Martha has secured an unconditional offer from Nottingham Trent University to study Design for Stage and Screen next year. Her contribution to the Wood Green Drama Department will continue long after she has left and that makes her a very worthy winner of this award.”
This Award was made under the Covid19 lockdown regulations and was presented to Martha at home during a video meeting.
Martha has been studying Drama and Theatre, English Literature and Design & Technology for her A levels.
When nominating Martha the head of Drama wrote: “Martha has been an exceptional Drama student. Her imagination and flair is truly inspiring. Martha is one of those students who immerses herself in her creative projects. This was particularly the case when Martha decided she wanted to create a set design for her group’s devised piece of Drama in Year 12. Martha may as well have lived in the Drama Department during those weeks, sourcing set from unused equipment and furniture from around the school, charming the site staff to help her in her quest.”
The head of Drama added: “Martha has secured an unconditional offer from Nottingham Trent University to study Design for Stage and Screen next year. Her contribution to the Wood Green Drama Department will continue long after she has left and that makes her a very worthy winner of this award.”
This Award was made under the Covid19 lockdown regulations and was presented to Martha at home during a video meeting.
