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Childhood studies degree personal statement example (1a) voluntary work
This is a real Education and teaching personal statement written by a student for their university application. It has been carefully edited into the new three-question format, with all of the original wording kept. It may have strengths and weaknesses, but it can be used as inspiration for writing your own UCAS personal statement. Ensure your personal statement is entirely your own work, copying from this example or other sources is considered plagiarism and can affect your application. There are lots more examples in our collection of sample personal statements.
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
When I think about my life today, I can hardly believe the opportunities I have been given. When I was 11 I was taken into foster care with my four brothers and sisters. As a result, I experienced family breakdown, what it is like to be separated from my siblings, was the subject of care proceedings, and, on a happier note, became part of a new family.
I was given what seemed like a new chance at life, but a chance that so few young people in situations like mine get. There are thousands of young people in Britain's care system whose futures must seem as bleak as mine once did. These children need a chance and that is what I want to help give them. I believe taking Childhood Studies would be the first step towards achieving my goal of becoming a play therapist. I would be learning about education, child development, psychology and the philosophy of childhood as well as how factors such as family, society, politics and environment affect and shape children. These are all subjects of great interest to me and ones I will enjoy studying.
How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
Although I loved school because it was an escape from home, no-one in my birth family cared about my education. Because my situation at home was known to my teachers, the fact that I, unlike my siblings, always went to school was seen as an achievement in itself so no-one was bothered if I did well or not. This didn't change until I was 12 when I was placed with a foster carer, Kim, who I now regard as my mother. Through living with Kim I experienced what it was like to be loved and cared for. I was helped to overcome issues that I faced due to past experiences, and for the first time there was someone who was interested in what I was doing at school, who encouraged me to work hard and who was pleased for me when I did well. As a result I began to understand the importance of education and the difference that it can make to someone's life. Not only was I recovering from past experiences, I was achieving educationally too without the struggle it had been before. My future was opening up in front of me, presenting choices and possibilities which just hadn't been there before.
At Brockenhurst College I am taking A-Levels in Sports Studies, Philosophy and History, having gained an A-level in Religious Studies earlier this year. Whilst I found all my subjects very stimulating, I particularly enjoyed learning about different theories and ways of thinking in Philosophy and Religious Studies.
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
I enjoy spending time with children both at home where we have foster children living with us for different periods of time, as well as through my work as a children's swimming instructor. Teaching children aged 3 to 10 years the vital skill of swimming is something I am passionate about. Last year I volunteered at a special needs school which was both fascinating and inspiring. Through CAFCASS I work as a qualified peer mentor, offering support and advice to young people who are going through the court process. I am currently working on a speech to the head of the family court service about the importance of children being able to attend court and communicate their wishes and feelings in person.
My interests include travelling, reading and sport. I play league netball and would like to continue to play when I am at university. I am a member of the RLSS Poole Life Saving Club and training to be a beach lifeguard. I am a confident, articulate and compassionate person who works very hard to achieve my goals and I believe I have much to offer as a potential student. My life experiences have been different from most peoples but they have made me a stronger and more mature person. Most importantly they helped me know the sort of person I want to be. I believe that the knowledge I would get from this course combined with my experiences will help me achieve my ultimate aim of working with children in care to help them overcome some of their disadvantages.
AI generated feedback
This feedback is AI-generated, based on the text of this personal statement:
This personal statement effectively conveys a compelling personal journey that links the applicant's background to their motivation to study Childhood Studies. The narrative is heartfelt and authentic, highlighting resilience and a clear goal to positively impact children in care. To enhance the statement for the 2026 UCAS application format, the applicant might expand on how specific academic skills from their A-level subjects will support their university studies, providing clearer links between past learning and future course requirements. Additionally, including more explicit reflections on skills gained through volunteering — such as communication, empathy, or leadership — could strengthen the relevance of extracurricular experiences. Maintaining the personal and honest tone while refining structural coherence will maximize the statement's impact under the new format requirements.
How personal statements have changed?
The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.
Need help with your personal statement? You can ask a question or get feedback from The Student Room community (and our trained personal statement experts) on the personal statement advice forum.
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