Tormead Enrichment Award

Published by Tormead School on Thursday 5th of January 2023

The Tormead Enrichment Award is given to a worthy alumna who has a talent in any field, who is looking for support with a new project or to further their own professional or educational career. Following some amazing applications this year, it was an incredibly difficult choice. So much so that it was decided that two alumnae would become the worthy winners of the £1,000 award. 

Lucy Ashpitel (2016) graduated from the University of Birmingham having received the Mavis Butterworth award for the highest achievement in a research project across the departments of geology, geography and environmental geoscience. She is now studying a PhD at the University of Aberdeen in the Cryosphere and Climate Change research group. Lucy is investigating the effects of climate change on glacially derived water resources in central Peru; analysing samples with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). She will use her Enrichment Award to visit and present her research at international conferences in front of established researchers in order to develop her science communications skills and to secure a post-doctoral position. 

Ellie Argent (2016) graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Decorative Arts, specialising in porcelain ceramics and surface patterning. She was awarded the Chartered Society of Design Student of the Year Award and delivered the vote of thanks speech at her graduation. Since then, Ellie founded the company, Liquid Void, to showcase and sell her pieces which have already been exhibited in shows such as New Designers 2022, London and can be found on posters all over Nottingham City Centre. She has also been invited to showcase further collection pieces at the prestigious Bevere Gallery in January 2023. Ellie will use her Enrichment Award to expand her collections and develop her business into its next stage, creating a unique one-off collection of homewares, exploring nostalgic feelings towards 1960’s design. The award would go towards investment in a kiln and studio space as well as helping towards travel costs associated with displaying pieces at upcoming events. 

We wish both of our alumnae the best of luck on the next stage of their journey beyond the gates of Tormead and we are delighted to be able to continue to be a part of that journey.