Having coveted the idea of an ‘alternative’ style of education when looking at Atlantic College in Wales, it was no surprise when she was offered and accepted a place at a similar establishment in India. 

Kate was described by her Housemistress “as a fantastic contributor to the cultural and sporting life of the Brereton and the school and she will be sorely missed”. Here is Kate’s account of her new life:

"Mahindra UWC is located about 4 hours from Mumbai (on a good day!), and about an hour from Pune. I will be living in a ‘wada’ which is a group of eleven houses, with eight students in each house. The students who attend the college are from over 50 countries all around the world and are brought together by the ethos of educating for peace.

We study the International Baccalaureate so I will be doing six subjects, as well as a beginners course in Hindi! Community Service is a requirement in the IB so I will also be joining a triveni (club) which works with children and teenagers diagnosed positive with HIV/AIDS to support them. I will also be joining a triveni for parkour (free running) and will be part of the first aid/fire service on campus.

Every term, the students partake in a project week where you can chose between various expeditions around India ranging from hiking in the Himalayas to living with a tribe in the forest.

Although I am moving on, I will not forget the ways in which West Buckland has prepared me for this next stage in my life."