Chrys’s Creative Journey: Securing a Spot at the University of Edinburgh’s Art Summer School
Chrys Stokes, a dedicated AS-Level student and a member of the High Achievers’ Programme at Joseph Chamberlain College, is celebrating his acceptance into an exclusive Art and Design summer school programme at the University of Edinburgh — a highly competitive opportunity with only five places available. What makes this achievement even more special is that Edinburgh is Chrys’s dream university, making this a rare chance to experience the campus and meet professors, an incredible step towards his future, which the college is very proud of.
Currently studying Art, Graphic Design, Psychology, and Sociology, Chrys has a very strong academic profile, with predicted A grades and high aspirations to study Fine Art at university.
The summer school, organised by the Sutton Trust in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, is part of a national initiative aimed at supporting high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds in accessing top universities. Over the course of a week, Chrys will participate in immersive teaching sessions, create his own art projects, and explore the city and university campus. Travel, accommodation, and meals are all fully funded.
Chrys discovered the opportunity through the college’s High Achievers Programme, where he was encouraged to apply by staff member, Vanessa. “Vanessa was really, really helpful,” Chrys said. “She told me about it, helped me through the process, and confirmed all my details. She’s just so supportive — always sending opportunities and cheering us on.”
The programme promises both academic enrichment and valuable insight into university life. Chrys explained, “They’ve planned out everything — three days of teaching, then a project day where we’ll create a piece or visit a museum, and then a full day exploring Edinburgh, which I’m really excited about. It’s my dream university, so this is a perfect opportunity to talk to the art teachers, build connections, show them my sketchbooks, and see what studying there would really be like.”
Chrys’s artistic talent is rooted in family influence — his mother is a sign writer and his father a graphic designer, both extremely creative and artistic, inspiring Chrys to draw from a very young age. Chrys also volunteers on Sundays delivering art therapy-based activities to children with additional needs. Looking ahead, Chrys hopes to combine his interests in art and psychology to pursue a career in art therapy.
Joseph Chamberlain College is incredibly proud of Chrys, the ambition he’s shown, and the work he’s produced — this opportunity to attend a highly selective summer school at his dream university is a testament to his hard work and exceptional creativity. The college wishes him the very best in Edinburgh and looks forward to seeing where his artistic journey takes him next.
