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I’m Dr Anne Boulton, a Speciality Trainee doctor in Allergy, Clinical and Laboratory Immunology (ACLI).
From 2006-2008 I was a recipient of the EP Abraham Sixth Form Bursary Award at King Edward’s. It may sound overblown but I genuinely think it changed my life. Until KES, I had always attended state schools – KES had never been on the radar as my family couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t until we found out I was eligible for the EP Abraham Award that it was even an option. So I was delighted when the acceptance letter came through, and I jumped at the chance even though all my school friends were going elsewhere. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
I’m so grateful I was able to do so. I loved my secondary school and did very well there. But I was set on studying Medicine (ideally at Oxbridge) and hoped KES would give me an extra boost at A-level. I wasn’t disappointed. Academically, I felt I was really stretched both by the teachers, who pushed me more and encouraged more critical thinking, and by being surrounded by more students on my wavelength. I also felt the teachers more often than not cared about me as a person.
It wasn’t all academic though – KES gave me a very holistic education thanks to myriad extra opportunities. One of my favourites was playing Lady Macbeth in the school production of Macbeth. I was also asked to step into the A2 Drama performance, which was pretty special. And even though I was only there for two years, I made some amazing friends who I still see regularly and were bridesmaids at my wedding!
Thanks to all of this, I got the grades I needed and went on to spend six years studying Medicine at the University of Cambridge (which was extremely demanding but KES had prepared me well). I’m now a doctor near the end of clinical training, specialising in immunology and allergy. I also have interests in research and medical education. I chose this route because I find the immune system super interesting. Also, treating people with immunosuppression and allergies is an area of rising clinical need. It’s also being completely revolutionised by the latest research in genomic analysis. Coming full circle, this links quite neatly with Sir Edward Abraham’s work, so it makes it even more satisfying to think I’m kind of giving back.
Looking back, my time at KES and the EP Abraham Bursary Award were a key part of this journey. I like to think I would still have made it to Cambridge without the academic foundation I received at KES, but who knows. University was also very demanding and I’m glad I was thoroughly prepared. Of course, there were many other steps that got me here (and I put in many, many hours of hard work!), but the EP Abraham Bursary Award was key in helping me achieve my goals and, I am relieved to say, financial security. I am extremely glad this fantastic initiative continues to support bright students who, like me, may need a helping hand.
