Best Schools - A former independent school pupil is to be the face of a charity which provides bursaries for disadv

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A former independent school pupil is to be the face of a charity which provides bursaries for disadvantaged children to attend boarding school.

Ryan Bromilow attended Glenalmond College with the help of the Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation.

Now a journalism student in London, the 19-year-old is fronting the charity’s video appeal encouraging other young people to take advantage of the opportunities available.

Ryan was brought up on a council estate in Liverpool and received a bursary from the Springboard Foundation which allowed him to have his final year of school at Glenalmond in 2015, fully funded by the charity.

He left school last year with an unconditional place on a journalism course at City University in London, where he now studies.

Ryan said: “We didn’t have much money when I was growing up and although I was able, I definitely wasn’t reaching my full potential.

“The SpringBoard bursary gave me the opportunity to go to boarding school and I was offered a place at Glenalmond.

“It has transformed my life, and my family’s lives, so I made the film to encourage others like me to grab the opportunity if it comes their way.

“It’s not about seeing how the other half live, it’s about learning how to harness your own drive and passion so that you can join the other half in building a career and lifestyle of your choice.”

Ryan now sits on the charity’s board as an advisory member.

An independent school in Reading is set to complete an expansion plan that will allow it significantly increase its student numbers by 2020

After securing a £2m loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking St Joseph's College, based on Upper Redlands Road, is a day school for girls and boys from early years to sixth form.

The education provider, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2019, first began working with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking six years ago as part of its strategic plan to renovate its facilities, attract more students and better promote its independent education offering.

Most recently, the school used a £850,000 loan to open a new music centre, incorporating eight new practice rooms, three class rooms and a recording studio.