Miata and Kaela-May's full circle moment, six years on 

How has the first year been for you, Kaela?

It’s been very transformative. I’ve now learned the basics and they’re setting me up for second and third year, so I’m happy about that.

When we spoke to you last, you were most interested in Computer Science. What you made you change your mind and choose English?

I wanted to do something I was passionate about and make university my own journey. The course is challenging but enjoyable. I really like the lectures, and the seminar leaders are always there for you.

How are you finding the university experience?

It’s quite independent, though there is a nice balance. You can have your social life, and you can find your sense of community.

Welcome Week felt like a fever dream because everybody’s trying to find their feet and then they eventually do. It’s just so nice talking to so many different people from different places. Different worlds combined into one place is quite cool. I feel like I’ve never really experienced that before. 

I haven’t joined any societies yet, but I’ve been to the English and Art Society and they’re very welcoming.

How has Kaela’s university journey been for you as a parent, Miata?

It’s been a journey. Kaela was a pandemic student. This meant her GCSE and AS Level grades were decided by teachers, rather than exams. When Kaela took her A Levels, grade boundaries were put up nationally, so things were particularly hard for her year.

When I step back and look at everything, I am immensely proud of Kaela. She’s so much more independent. I know she’s enjoying her social life, but she really gets stuck in.  I look forward to her second year and seeing what she’s going to achieve.

How has being part of Parent Power impacted you both?

MIATA: Parent Power means I can rely on other parents going through the same thing and know I’m not just in it by myself. Through the programme, I’ve met a diverse group of parents. I've learned that there is power in conversations and dialogues with people. This can help mobilise our lives and the lives of others in a positive way.

Before I got involved with Parent Power, I felt really disenfranchised. Because of our postcode, I didn’t think Kaela would get into certain universities.

Parent Power helped to broaden my horizons, understand the education system better and support Kaela in all of her hard work to get to the university of her choice. And Kaela’s journey is helping other parents see that university, and especially a Russell Group university, is attainable with the right support.

It’s helping me with my job too. I went back to university myself, to study social work. I went back to my job at a school, but now as Head of House. Working with Parent Power has enabled me to strengthen the bonds within my school community and helps me support parents better.

KAELA: Parent Power has very much been a part of my university journey. If I didn’t have a parent who was as supportive and knew a lot about university, I wouldn’t have that guidance to be where I am today. 

A highlight of the programme was going on trips to universities, so I could experience what university life would be like and speak to students. Without seeing that first-hand, I would have just relied on the internet for information.

MIATA: Because I worked at the school Kaela was in, I was able to go on some of the trips. I never thought I would visit the country’s best universities.

For Kaela to apply to King’s was a massive thing, but it felt natural to have that full-circle moment. She was a King’s Scholar and then she got to go to King’s herself. It’s what dreams are made of.

King's is one of the top five universities in the UK for social mobility and part of that is creating an environment that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. Has King’s achieved that in your opinions?

MIATA: Yes. King’s does well at building lasting relationships with the local community and their investment in people is life-changing.

At King’s, I see people that look like me and I meet people that have the same kind of stories. When we came to the open day, one of the ambassadors was telling Kaela her story, it was just very similar. 

KAELA: I think King’s is very in touch with different communities. I never really felt out of place. If I did feel out of place, I tried to be inspired by the journey and see it as an opportunity to learn.

This is why I’m interested in Widening Participation. My goal is to become an ambassador for King’s and help give back to my community. This involves going into schools and talking to young people about university life. It would be a full-circle moment for me, as I remember they came to my school when I was in Year 7.  I want to encourage more people to come to King’s, be that inspiration for them, and pay it forward.