by Joy Peters
Saint Saviours was founded as a charity in 1876. It was originally set up to help young women who had 'lost their way' in life. In the early years this generally referred to women who frequented the taverns and plied their trade of prostitution. Financial assistance, training and encouragement were provided to teach these women alternative means of earning a living. Over the years the objectives broadened to provide support to financially disadvantaged women with the talent to succeed in life. Through the generations a number of wealthy benefactors ensured the ongoing viability of the charity, which deals with thousands of applications for assistance each year.
Bernadette Wilson was an attractive young woman of 24 years of age. She had striking auburn hair, stood 5 feet six inches tall and had a well proportioned figure honed by regular exercise and visits to the gym. She had been married for three years to Stephen, a junior administrative civil servant. They had chosen not to start a family until they were financially able. Bernadette worked at a hypermarket in Croydon. She had done so since leaving school at the age of seventeen. She had excelled in her GCSE examinations and had embarked on an 'A' level course with a view to university entrance. She sustained this for about ten months but then found that the distractions of growing up resulted in her losing interest in academia. She abandoned her education and started work, initially stacking shelves at the supermarket, then progressing to the check out tills and then to a supervisor role. It was there that she hit the glass ceiling. Opportunities above her level were restricted to management trainees. She needed a university degree or at least three good 'A' levels to even apply to join the supermarket management scheme.
Her good friend Katrina Smith had a similar background. She was of a similar age and like Bernadette, had abandoned her education half way through her 'A' level course. She had fallen in love with a handsome young Spanish man whom she met on holiday in Benidorm. She decided to stay and found a job working in a bar. Like many holiday romances, this was doomed to fail. Five months later Katrina returned to Croydon, much to her parent's relief, and secured a job in a supermarket. It was here that she met Bernadette and soon they became very good friends. Katrina was two inches taller than Bernadette, slim with long black hair. They both enjoyed physical fitness and were regular attendees at the local gym. The two worked as supervisors at the same store.
The store manager at the Croydon branch was a lovely lady by the name of Stephanie Taylor. She was liked and well regarded by all the staff but it became apparent that she identified both Katrina and Bernadette as having management potential. Separately she called them both into her office for career interviews and convinced each of them that they should apply for the in house management trainee programme. Acting on this advice they both applied, and following a series of interviews and assessments they were each advised that providing they could meet the minimum education requirement of three 'A' level passes at grade B or above they would be able to join the scheme. Although they were told that the placements would be held open for 18 months, in practise they only had 15 months to study for and pass the requisite 'A' levels.
Mrs Taylor called Bernadette into her office and invited her to sit down. "I'm so pleased that your application has been successful, Bernadette. Is there any way I can assist you to obtain the required academic standard?"
"I've given this a lot of thought. Stephen, my husband is very supportive, but we can't really see a way to cram a two year full time course into a year part time. I think it might be better to get the 'A' levels and then reapply for the trainee programme."
"It must of course be your decision Bernadette. I understand that you almost completed the first year of your 'A' level course? With some intensive revision would you not be able to continue into the second year? I'm sure the syllabus won't have changed too much? And what if I was able to release you from work Monday to Friday - this would enable you to undertake a full time course. You could work at the store either Saturday or Sunday and still have a day off a week. I'm sure that we could find a way for the company to sponsor you in this way without any loss to your income."
"That all sounds very interesting Mrs Taylor. It's now a just a case of finding a college that is geared up to my subjects."
"I might be able to help you there as well Bernadette. I have a friend who sits on the board of Saint Saviours - you may not have heard of them but they are a charity that might be able to help with funding your education. I've already sounded her out and she thinks that she might be able to help."
A similar conversation had taken place with Katrina. Consequently they were both invited to complete an application for assistance and found themselves invited for interview by the Board of Saint Saviours the following week.
Bernadette was called in first. The chairperson went through the application and then invited questions from other panel members. They questioned Bernadette on her motivation and the reasons for her dropping out six years previously. Bernadette was given the opportunity to develop her written application and she did this to good effect. She was asked to leave so that the panel could consider her case. Twenty minutes later Bernadette was recalled and the chairperson addressed her.
"Good news Mrs Wilson. On behalf of Saint Saviours, the panel are prepared to make an offer of assistance. We are prepared to fully fund your tuition, examination and supplementary costs. Have you anything in mind?"
"Not really Sir. I did contact my previous college but they are no longer able to combine my subjects as a full time student - so I'm really still looking."
"Mrs Wilson - we have a proposal. Saint Saviours has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with The Manor School - we have sent a number of young ladies to complete their education there and the results have been extremely good. Subject to academic assessment and agreement of the governing body you might be able to study for and sit your chosen 'A' levels as a student at the school."
"But it's a school. I'm 24 years of age!"
"As I said Mrs Wilson, we have an excellent relationship with the school and have sent many young women in a similar position to you there. They do take 'over age' students, subject to assessment and interview. They provide a solid structure for academic learning and the results confirm the effectiveness of the regime. The choice is of course yours. Do you have anything to lose by visiting the school and seeing what they might offer?"
The following week both Bernadette and Katrina - who had equally impressed the Saint Saviours panel - attended the Manor School. It was a co-educational public school catering for students aged 13 - 18. It was well regarded as a high achieving school and offered a broad range of subjects within its extended sixth form. Bernadette and Katrina were assessed for different subjects and given a conducted tour of the school. This was followed by an interview with the Headmaster, Dr Rodney Clearweather.
Bernadette was interviewed first.
"Well Bernadette - how did you find the school?" asked Dr Clearweather.
"Unlike anything I had expected. But the school I attended was very different. I was generally impressed with the facilities and teaching staff with whom I came into contact. But I'm not sure that I could adapt to the role of schoolgirl again - I found it hard enough first time around!"
Impressed by Bernadette's successful attempt at humour, Dr Clearweather responded, "I've had the reports from your subject Heads. History projects a B, Biology a borderline A and Geography a sound B. They don't usually get it wrong! Many young women in a similar position to you expressed misgivings but actually adapted extremely well. It does of course take some adjustment. You spoke of adapting to the role of schoolgirl. Yes in some ways this will be necessary. You will need to wear the uniform and comply with the rules and requirements as well as your fellow students but as an upper sixth form student there is more flexibility, although we cannot make any allowances for your age. You will be treated like any other member of the sixth form. The rigid structures in place are sometimes helpful - they do encourage conformity and assist concentration on the academic work. If you really do want to achieve the desired results you won't find a better place even if you find the adjustments difficult. The decision is of course yours. If you feel that it is right for you and want to commit yourself to the school for the ten month academic year then I will be personally pleased to welcome you. The fees are not inconsiderable and you are indeed fortunate in finding such a generous benefactor. I have collected some relevant information, projected timetables, staff information, general facilities available in school, rules and regulations - that sort of stuff. Take it away, browse through it and if you have any specific questions I will of course be happy to answer them - preferably after 6pm tomorrow when I'm usually free of routine duties. If you decide to join us let me know as soon as possible. You will then need to attend school to sign up and complete more endless forms!"
"Thank you Dr Clearweather. I'll be in touch."
Bernadette met up with Katrina and they exchanged experiences on their way home. Katrina appeared to have more enthusiasm for the prospect of joining The Manor School. Bernadette had misgivings but said she would discuss things with her husband Stephen that evening.
Stephen was in fact extremely supportive. He'd heard of the favourable reputation of The Manor School and felt that his wife should take full advantage of the opportunities presented. He believed that if she didn't grasp the chance she might regret it for the rest of her life.
Three days later, Bernadette attended the school to sign all the relevant forms.
There were indeed endless questionnaires, personal details, health, dietary restrictions, financial mandates (for completion by Saint Saviours). The Bursars assistant - a young woman about Bernadette's age - then gathered the forms from Bernadette, sat her down and then started to go through them thoroughly. Apparently satisfied she then handed Bernadette a uniform list advising her that she would be in Scarlet House - the significance being that she would wear a red tie and red gym kit as part of her uniform. She was then handed a form headed, 'Consent for Corporal Punishment'.
"What's this?" asked Bernadette.
"It's what it says. Haven't you read the rules? They state ... let's see -" She rummaged for a copy. " Any member of the teaching staff may refer a pupil to the Headmaster in the event of repeated or serious misconduct. Only the Headmaster may inflict corporal punishment on a pupil in accordance with laid down procedures. It's normal for parents or guardians to sign but as you are over eighteen the Bursar said that you should sign."
"Gosh! What am I letting myself in for?"
"I shouldn't worry - it doesn't happen too often, especially with girls. Sixth formers get it even less."
"Get it?"
"Yes. The cane."
Bernadette read the form. 'I [blank] consent to the infliction of reasonable corporal punishment upon [blank] in the event of serious or repeated misconduct by [blank]. Signed [blank]. Relationship to student [blank], Date [blank].'
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