Caerphilly teenager chosen from 1,300 UK students for prestigious study scheme stateside

Evie Jones, a learner at Coleg y Cymoedd, has secured a spot on the prestigious Sutton Trust US Programme, a scheme that enables academically talented British students from low-income backgrounds to discover US higher education and experience what it would be like to study at a leading US university. 

Entry to the programme is highly competitive and Evie, 17 from Caerphilly, was chosen from 1,300 of the UK’s brightest learners to be one of the 150 scholars for the Trust’s thirteenth cohort this year. 

The programme includes a week-long trip to the US this summer, where Evie will explore different campuses and experience Amercian culture firsthand. She already connected with other participants in a UK residential and an online workshop, where she learned about the US education system. 

After her trip this August, Evie will have the opportunity to apply to US universities in addition to her UK options, with the guidance and support of the Fulbright team. They will help her with the application process and finding financial aid abroad. 

Evie, who is studying A Levels in English Literature, Biology and Chemistry at Coleg y Cymoedd said: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn about the American university system, and I am so excited to be travelling there this summer! I can’t wait to learn more about the liberal arts system there too.” 

Holly Richards, MAT Co-ordinator for A Levels at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “We are very proud that Evie has secured a place on such a prestigious programme, it is a fantastic opportunity; I can’t wait to hear all about the summer school on her return!” 

The Sutton Trust US Programme is one of many widening-access schemes that Coleg y Cymoedd’s A-Level Centre has introduced, encouraging high-achieving learners from state schools to apply for top universities. 

This most recent partnership comes after the college saw its best exam results ever in academic year 2022/2023, with record-breaking Oxbridge places and an increase of 24.1% in A*/A grades compared with pre-pandemic external exam results in 2019. 

“Initiatives such The Sutton Trust US Programme open up a world of opportunity for our learners,” continued Holly. 

“Education should never be restricted by one’s postcode or economic circumstances. This opportunity allows us to bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement. We are immensely proud to be part of this life-changing journey.” 

A spokesperson from The Sutton Trust US Programme, said: “We are pleased that the Sutton Trust US Programme has supported almost 700 young people to take up offers at highly selective US universities across the last twelve cohorts, after securing over $150 million in coveted scholarships.  

“The programme aims to increase access and diversity in US higher education for British learners who face barriers to studying abroad. 

“As a registered charity that receives no government funding, all Sutton Trust activity, from running award-winning programmes, to producing agenda-setting research and influencing national policy, is only made possible by donations from supporters. Thank you to our family of supporters who continue to provide extraordinary support for the US Programme.” 

For more information about the Sutton Trust US Programme, visit: https://www.fulbright.org.uk 

For more information about A Levels at Coleg y Cymoedd, visit: https://www.cymoedd.ac.uk/courses/a-levels

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