Khadijah Mellah

“I am thrilled that I am part of a shift in social understanding of what women can achieve and what they can be good at.”

We are very proud to feature Sydenham High alumna, Khadijah Mellah, on the front of our campaign brochure. We think Khadijah – a fearless barrier breaker – is testament to the difference a GDST education can make to a person’s life.

In Summer 2019, Khadijah – then just 18 years old – made history at Goodwood when she took part in the Magnolia Cup, an all-female amateur jockey’s charity race. Not only was she the first jockey to compete in a British race wearing a hijab, but she also astounded everyone by winning, having only sat on a racehorse for the first time four months earlier.

Khadijah attended Sydenham High School from the age of seven where she received a significant bursary award throughout her studies. Her entry into the Magnolia Cup was as a result of her membership of the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, a charity that teaches young people from disadvantaged communities in South London to ride and care for horses. Following her win, Khadijah said: It’s a nice change to see someone who isn’t typically racing to be racing. There are definitely a fair few guys out there who would struggle to do what I am doing and I am thrilled that I am part of shift in social understanding of what women can achieve and what they can be good at.”

Khadijah is living proof that our bursary programme can help girls learn without limits.

Khadijah Mellah
Winner, Magnolia Cup
Young Sportswoman of the Year, 2019
Mechanical Engineering student, University of Brighton
Alumna, Sydenham High School
Class of 2019