George Baldock’s journey from dropping out of secondary school to studying history and politics at the prestigious University of Cambridge is a tale informed by personal struggle and resilience. At the tender age of 11, George’s struggle with anxiety and depression forced him to step back from mainstream education in his hometown of Milton Keynes.
The discomfort became insurmountable and unbearable when he transitioned to secondary school. Side effects of crippling anxiety would often leave him physically incapacitated. His condition deteriorated to such a point that by the end of his first year, he had to be shifted to an internal exclusion unit for students with behavioural issues. The experience was far from positive, as George found himself feeling more out of place among these disruptive pupils.
Interrupting his education in 2017, he spent a significant period from January to September away from any kind of schooling. In these challenging times, he drew strength from his mother’s unwavering support and entrepreneurship.
Despite his initial apprehensions, he found his solace and niche at a pupil referral unit (PRU), the Bridge Academy West in Bletchley. It was an arduous expedition into the unknown, but he was gently nudged ahead by the loving persistence of his mother and her partner.
In this small setup of 15 students, he found invaluable attention from teachers who would ultimately become his mentors. His history teacher and principal, Dr Neil Barrett, took him under his personal tutelage for four years. George developed coping mechanisms and learned essential skills to manage his anxiety disorder, all while continuing his academic journey.
Though returned to his secondary school to complete his A-levels due to the limited resources at the unit, he did so with incredible academic success, scoring an A* in all subjects.
George refers to his journey from the referral unit to the University of Cambridge as a transition from ‘a write-off’ to a triumphant success. He attributes his achievements entirely to the dedicated teaching staff at the PRU, worrying about others who may not have access to such units.
George believes his experience at the referral unit is an integral part of him and has shaped him into the person he is today. Now, studying in the beautiful city of Cambridge which he regards with awe and admiration, he aims to use his experience to help others trapped in a system that often fails to provide adequate support. His ambitions extend beyond personal success as he hopes to pave the way for others to overcome their struggles and navigate the system as he did.
