Sophie Pender
Sophie Pender | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997 (age 26–27) |
| Education | Hertswood Academy |
| Alma mater | University of Bristol (BA) |
| Organization | 93% Club |
Sophie Pender (born 1997) is a British social mobility campaigner and activist. She founded the UK-based non-profit the 93% Club, which looks to support university students who had attended state school in finding employment.
Early life and education[edit]
Pender grew up on a North London council estate.[1][2] She lost her father to substance abuse.[1] Pender attended Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood. She worked two jobs to support herself during her studies, and ended up getting all A*s for her A-Levels.[3][4] She was the first student in her school to achieve straight A*s.[5] Pender eventually studied English at the University of Bristol, and was the first in her family to attend higher education.[1][6] Pender graduated from the University of Bristol in 2017.
Career[edit]
During her time in the University of Bristol she became involved with efforts to improve social mobility, including joining the charity Access Aspiration.[1] Pender was named a Woman to Watch in 2017.[6]
Whilst an undergraduate student Pender founded the 93 Percent Club.[7] The club became a national network of student societies, who work with organisations to improve the employability of state school graduates.[5] Pender has referred to the 93% Club as an "alternative Bullingdon Club".
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Nye, Catrin (2021). "Being proud of going to state school". bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ^ "A Bullingdon in reverse: how working-class student club is taking on elitism". The Guardian. 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ^ "Sobbing student heads to university after receiving straight A*s". Borehamwood Times. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ^ "Best Ever Results...Again!" (PDF). 2014.
- ^ a b "About 4". The 93% Club. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ^ a b "Student named one of the women to watch 2017". borehamwoodtimes.co.uk. Borehamwood & Elstree Times. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ^ "Our Leadership". The 93% Club. Retrieved 2021-07-06.