The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust
Supporting Girls in STEM
Supporting Girls in STEM
Established in loving memory of Charlotte Hosker - Supporting the next generation of women in STEM
Remembering a bright young life and building a lasting legacy
Charlotte Hosker was a bright, ambitious 12-year-old girl with dreams of making a difference in the world. She was passionate about learning, curious about science, and determined to pursue a career where she could help others. Tragically, Charlotte's life was cut short when she died of meningitis, never having the chance to fulfill her extraordinary potential.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Charlotte's family and friends were determined that her memory would live on in a meaningful way. They established The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust to ensure that other young women - particularly those who, like Charlotte, might face obstacles in pursuing their dreams - would have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
Today, the Trust stands as a testament to Charlotte's spirit, her love of learning, and her belief that everyone deserves the chance to reach for their dreams, no matter their circumstances.
This Trust ensures that other young women can pursue theirs, particularly those with ambitions to pursue technical careers in STEM fields.
What we stand for and what we're working to achieve
To honor Charlotte Hosker's memory by empowering young women, particularly those from Purbeck School in Wareham, to pursue excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We remove financial barriers, provide educational opportunities, and create pathways to successful STEM careers through scholarships, grants, and targeted support programs.
A future where every talented young woman, regardless of her financial circumstances, has the opportunity to pursue her passion for STEM. We envision a world where female participation in technical fields is celebrated and supported, where Purbeck School is recognized as a centre of excellence for STEM education, and where Charlotte's legacy inspires generations of women scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Our core objectives and commitments
We actively work to increase the representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Through targeted programs, mentorship, and visibility of female role models, we're helping to break down barriers and challenge gender stereotypes in technical fields.
We provide crucial financial support to students who might otherwise be unable to pursue STEM careers due to economic circumstances. Our assistance ensures that talent and ambition, not financial resources, determine who can succeed in technical education and careers.
We award comprehensive scholarships to students seeking careers in STEM fields. These bursaries cover tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and educational materials, enabling students to focus on their studies without the burden of financial stress.
We recognize that financial barriers can prevent talented students from continuing their education beyond GCSE level. Our sixth form grants help cover the costs of books, equipment, travel, and other essentials, allowing disadvantaged students to maintain their studies and prepare for university.
All our scholarships and grants are available to qualifying students from The Purbeck School in Wareham. This includes current students and alumni who have attended the school. We maintain a special connection with Purbeck School as it was Charlotte's school and remains at the heart of our mission.
We invest in helping The Purbeck School maintain and enhance its status as a centre of excellence for STEM subjects. This includes funding for state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, specialist teaching resources, extracurricular STEM clubs, competitions, and innovative educational programs that inspire the next generation.
The importance of supporting women in technical fields
Women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM careers, despite making up nearly half of the workforce. This gender gap represents not only a loss of talent and diversity but also missed opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. Research consistently shows that diverse teams produce better outcomes, yet women hold only about a quarter of STEM jobs in the UK.
The barriers begin early: girls are often discouraged from pursuing STEM subjects, receive less encouragement than boys, and have fewer female role models in technical fields. Financial constraints compound these obstacles, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may lack the resources for advanced study.
The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust addresses these challenges head-on. By providing financial support, creating opportunities, and celebrating female achievement in STEM, we're helping to level the playing field. Our scholarships enable talented young women to pursue their passions without financial barriers, while our programs at Purbeck School inspire the next generation to see STEM careers as accessible and rewarding.
Every scholarship we award, every program we fund, and every student we support represents a step toward a more equitable future. We're not just helping individual students - we're changing the landscape of STEM education and careers for generations to come.
The formal purposes of the Trust as registered with the Charity Commission
For the public benefit, to advance the education of the pupils at Purbeck School in Wareham, and in particular, but not exclusively, girls at the school, by providing and assisting in the provision of extracurricular STEM education at the school.
For the public benefit, to promote the education of young people, and in particular but not exclusively girls, who have attended Purbeck School in Wareham in such ways as the charity trustees think fit, including by:
A. Awarding Scholarships and Grants: Awarding to such persons scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants tenable at any university, college or institution of higher or further education.
B. Providing Educational Support: Providing their education, assistance to undertake travel in furtherance of that education or to prepare for entry to any occupation, trade or profession on leaving any educational establishment.
Transparency and accountability in everything we do
Charity Registration Number: 1212843
The Charlotte Hosker Scholarship Trust is officially registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. We operate under strict regulatory guidelines to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of charitable funds.
Whether you're a student seeking support, an educator interested in partnerships, or a supporter who wants to contribute to our mission, we'd love to hear from you.