Shott Travel Awards
Expanding Horizons Through Travel
The Shott Travel Awards provide grants of up to £2,000 to support King Edward VI School Sixth Form students undertaking meaningful travel experiences that broaden horizons, develop independence and enrich personal growth.
Established through the generosity of Old Edwardian Ian Shott (KES 1970-75), the awards are designed to help students pursue opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their reach. Whether through volunteering activities, research opportunities or personal challenges, the awards encourage students to step beyond their comfort zones and engage with the wider world.
Who Can Apply?
The Shott Travel Awards are open to all King Edward VI School Sixth Form pupils.
Particular consideration may be given to pupils for whom travel experiences would be beyond their reach without financial support.
Pupils are able to use grants in the summer after Year 12 or Year 13, or as part of a gap year.
What Can the Awards Support?
We invite applications from pupils pursuing charitable or volunteering activities, research opportunities or personal challenges. Applications should demonstrate how the experience links to our school values and will help to change the world for the better.
The majority of pupils identify an external travel experience that they would like to undertake independently, but grants can also be made for selected school trips including Operation Wallacea.
Applicants are invited to submit a written proposal outlining their planned experience, its objectives and the impact it will have on their personal development.
Case study: Jess's Expedition to Croatia
One of the first recipients of a Shott Travel Award was Jess, who used her funding to join Operation Wallacea's research programme at Krka National Park in Croatia before beginning a degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology at the University of Exeter.
Over two weeks, Jess worked alongside researchers collecting ecological data that will contribute to long-term scientific studies. She took part in surveys of birds, mammals, bats, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies, while developing valuable fieldwork and species identification skills ahead of university.
The experience was not only academically valuable but also on a personal level. Travelling independently for the first time, Jess embraced the challenge of navigating new environments, meeting new people and developing confidence in her own abilities.
"This trip has boosted my confidence for leaving home for university, not only because I now know more fieldwork skills but also because I know that meeting new people and making friends isn't as scary or as difficult as I thought it would be."
During the programme, Jess met fellow participants from around the world and formed lasting friendships through their shared passion for conservation.
"Everyone was so genuinely lovely and I have made friends for life."
Encouraging future applicants to embrace new opportunities, Jess added:
"To anyone thinking about applying for the travel award next year or just stepping outside their comfort zone, the best advice I can give is to just go for it."
