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.
Sophie Pender | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997 (age 26–27) |
| Education | Hertswood Academy |
| Alma mater | University of Bristol (BA) |
| Organization | 93% Club |
Early life and education
editPender 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
editDuring 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.