Janine gains £3,000 award

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An education trust set up in 1936 has made its latest main financial grant to a student from Johnstone.

The Renfrewshire Educational Trust gives grants to students and schools within the Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde areas. The Trust's main yearly award goes to support one student to go on a one year full time Taught Masters' programme at a UK university.

This year's award has gone to 25 year-old Janine Ballantyne from Johnstone.

Janine, a former pupil of St Margaret's Primary, Johnstone, and St Brendan's High School in Linwood, has already completed a BA Hons in Social Sciences from Glasgow Caledonian University. She is now going to do an MRes Sociology and Research Methods at the University of Glasgow.

Janine said, "I would like to express my thanks to the Renfrewshire Educational Trust for choosing me as the recipient of this year's award. The award will enable me to pursue a career in social research and also put me in good stead for PhD study, which is something I am considering for the future.

"Without this award, I would not have been able to commence this degree on a full time basis due to the costs involved.

"I would like to thank the Board of Governors at the Renfrewshire Educational Trust for this award and would recommend to other final year students in Renfrewshire who are thinking of entering postgraduate study, to apply for next years award.

"I would also like to thank staff at the department of Law and Social Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University. If it were not for the great opportunities offered by both them and the Students' Association, I do not feel I would have secured this award."

Councillor Carol Puthucheary, Chair of the Renfrewshire Educational Trust, said: "It's very encouraging that an organisation which was established over 70 years ago, is still making a contribution to the education of young people today."

Added Councillor Puthucheary: "In addition to our main award, over the year the Renfrewshire Educational Trust helps on average 25 individuals and 45 schools and groups. Grants have been used to support participation in music and sports events and educational excursions. The Trust is continuing to do that for many years to come."

Any individual or school wishing to find out more about applying for grants from the Renfrewshire Educational Trust should contact Sarah White (telephone no. 0141 840 3630), Department of Finance and Corporate Services, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1TR, or email ret.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Press release: Thursday 26 August 2010