Tabia in 2009 (left) and 2019
City Analyst Tabia Salam, one of the first pupils to join Chelsea Academy when it opened its doors in 2009, has become the first alumna of the school to join its governing board.
Tabia, 22, attended the Academy from 2009 to 2016. As well as achieving top GCSE and A-Level results, she immersed herself in a wide range of extra activities funded by the Chelsea Academy Foundation, including a trip to the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, and also represented the UK in an international maths competition.
She went on to study for an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at King’s College, London and then a Masters in Biomedical Research (Data Science) at Imperial College. Throughout her studies Tabia continued to contribute to school life by providing Maths tutoring to pupils and speaking at Chelsea Academy’s 10 year anniversary event. Following a summer internship at Credit Suisse, she joined the global financial services firm as a Technology Analyst.
Tabia commented “I am motivated to leave a legacy, inspiring other Chelsea Academy students to give back too. I hope to be a role model for others, encouraging, influencing and helping where I can.”
The recruitment of alumni as governors recognises the unique insight they can bring – a deep understanding of local families and very recent educational experience. The visibility of alumni is a powerful social mobility tool, giving pupils exposure to the opportunities available to people who sat in the same classrooms as them.
Chelsea Academy is a mixed Outstanding Church of England state secondary school with a science specialism, serving the needs of 1100 local children. In 2020, 68% of pupils achieved Grades 5 and above in GCSE English and Maths and 68% of A level candidates gained Grades A* – B. 38% of pupils are Pupil Premium students and 58% speak English as an Additional Language.
Tabia joins an experienced, 15-strong governing body comprising local residents and sector specialists led by Lady Sassoon who has been involved with Chelsea Academy since its inception.
The Chelsea Academy Foundation works to ensure that extracurricular activities and targeted support are available to all pupils, regardless of financial background, fundraising from grant providers, corporate partners, local philanthropists and parents.
Contact: Susan Harris (Governor and Chair of Chelsea Academy Foundation) susan.harris@chelsea-academy.org