‘Transformative. Inspirational and Fun, just so much fun’ was how Jeevan Singh (C 16 -18), former Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation (RNCSF) Scholar, summed up his Bradfield experience when I caught up with him before the festive break. He is currently in his final year at Leeds Uni where he is studying International Business prior to starting his first job, already secured, in the City of London.
‘Once you immerse yourself, you get lost in this world with almost endless potential’ Jeevan eulogised about this time at Bradfield throughout our chat and was keen to explain how coming to Bradfield had enabled him to turn his life around.
Jeevan grew up in North London where he attended the OFSTED outstanding Gladesmore Community school. Unfortunately, he wasn’t really making the most of it as his behaviour inside and outside of the classroom held him back. This all changed when his Assistant Head Teacher asked him whether he would like to go to boarding school. He remembers wondering what that even meant. Once explained, Jeevan said that his motivation soared and he started focusing on his education. He became utterly determined to be awarded a place at Bradfield, to the extent that he didn’t even apply to any other colleges, and he prepared hard for his interview.
‘I mentally set aside the challenges of my socio-economic circumstance and decided that they would not dictate my life and my ability to take advantage of this opportunity.’
Asked about the impression that Jeevan made in interview, Andy Golding, Jeevan’s Housemaster in Army House could see that he was ambitious, keen to make a change, and likeable, he instantly knew that he would be a great addition to the House. ‘I wanted to give him the chance that I felt he deserved, I was delighted to recommend him for a place’.
Jeevan said that having the validation of my future Housemaster was ultimately very humbling, ‘having someone see potential in me meant so much and I felt that I owed it to him to perform.
Feeling ‘part of it’ was not an instant thing. Jeevan explained that you can’t underestimate the radical change that is moving to Bradfield. ‘There was this long build-up and then I got the grades and was in, and the next thing I knew I was in West Berkshire smelling manure and living in Hogwarts.’
Having never stayed away from home he was homesick and wondered whether he’d made the right decision. Goose weekend was however the turning point. It taught him what it meant to be part of a boarding house, the house spirit, the loyalty and the bond with your housemates. ‘Goose showed me that I belonged. The shared enjoyment and sense of achievement was incredible, a great ice-breaker for the year and I was gutted that I only had two years of it.’
Bradfield has a policy of not formally naming its bursary recipients, but Jeevan was very open about his status. He felt that he received even more respect because the other boys were aware of it. ‘I think that they were genuinely impressed and proud of me, my desire to make a change to my life, and they also wanted me to achieve.’
I asked Andy how Jeevan fitted into House life and he was quick to say that he was impressed by his dynamism and how he dealt with the many challenges of moving into an alien environment. He noticed that the other boys took to him and he quickly developed a tight circle of friends. ‘His presence was refreshing in many ways and we all appreciated his different perspective.’
In developing a new Bradfield family, that is not to say that Jeevan became distanced from his own family. Jeevan’s Mum is one of his biggest fans and motivators, she was delighted to see him start to take an interest in his education and was extremely supportive of his move to Bradfield. She took great pleasure in dropping him off at College whenever possible. Potentially quite an intimidating experience, Mr Golding however made them feel totally at home. ‘He offered me outstanding pastoral support throughout my time and looking back he was the male role model that I had been missing in my life.’
More often than not Jeevan chose to board at weekends, something that in retrospect he appreciates even more. ‘The peacefulness of the countryside and all those amazing facilities at my disposal, gym, swimming pool, and more .. these things are just not as accessible in normal life.’
Asked about his best moment at Bradfield, the response was instantaneous ‘Becoming Head of House. It instilled a massive confidence within me that is still with me today and I felt incredibly proud to see my name on the House board.’ More than that, he enjoyed being responsible for 53 boys, advocating for them publicly as well as helping them to confront private challenges, which he felt in an almost unique position to do by virtue of his background. ‘I felt that people found it easier to talk to me because they know that I wouldn’t judge them’. The impact that he was able to have both inspired and motivated him.
Choosing Head of House is not a decision that Andy Golding took lightly, Jeevan demonstrated that he really wanted the role, he had the respect of the boys and Andy knew that he could work with him. ‘Army House gave Jeevan the opportunity to shine and in return, he gave us his energy, positivity, and that invaluable sense of perspective.’
The Headmaster often quotes Jeevan his speeches, when he said ‘Bradfield hasn’t just given me an education, it’s taught me how to make a difference’, so I asked what difference Bradfield had made to him.
‘I believe that it’s very difficult not to be a product of your environment. It’s not that you put yourself in bad situations intentionally, it’s that it’s impossible to avoid them. Coming to Bradfield meant that I didn’t encounter those issues. It gave me the opportunity to wipe my slate clean and re-write my narrative.’
Jeevan felt that coming to Bradfield gave him the platform that he needed to re-direct his life and believes that Bradfield enabled his social mobility. ‘Bradfield certainly gave me the best possible grounding to allow me to achieve, and indeed I am.’
He believes that you must listen to your gut instinct. He wants to publish advice to share with other young people from similar backgrounds to give them confidence in their convictions. ‘I listened to my inner voice and decided to make a change, I want others to be able to make that step.’
Jeevan has a plan to go places and we are all behind him in his mission.
If you are interested in supporting pupils like Jeevan through their time at Bradfield, take a look at Bright Futures, our bursary campaign that supports transformative bursaries at Bradfield. For more information or to discuss making a gift our Philanthropy Lead, Kirsty Perkinson, would be happy to help, email kperkinson@bradfieldcollege.org.uk or call 0118 964 4846.
