TWO students have engineered their way to a prestigious award after impressing judges in a scholarship scheme entered by 3,000 young people.
Ripon Grammar School sixth formers Patrick Moon and John Ashton have continued their school's record of students' success in applying for coveted Arkwright Engineering Scholarships.
The scholarships support young people from across the UK who have the potential to be industry’s future leaders in engineering and technical design.
The boys’ prize is £600 each to support their studies and career planning during their two years in the sixth form and a direct link with sponsor companies, as well as other opportunities to learn more about engineering.
John, 16, of Leyburn, is being supported by Sheffield University while Patrick is linked with UK nuclear developer NuGen, which is aiming to develop three reactors at Sellafield.
"I want to go into chemical engineering so nuclear is interesting to me and they need engineers to keep on developing technologies in the industry," said Patrick, 16, of Grewelthorpe, who is studying mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology at A level.
He impressed Arkwright Scholarship judges with his written application and performance in a two-hour aptitude exam and interview at Newcastle University, where he also had to take part in a team project.
Design and technology teacher at Ripon Grammar School Dave Rudland said: “It is a rigorous selection process. The students have to get references from their DT teachers and the head of upper school, which have to be endorsed by the headmaster.
“The scholarship is a fantastic starting point. There are lots of opportunities associated with it, such as company visits and summer schools. The students have the chance to make the most of it and develop themselves through the scholarship.”
Ripon Grammar School will also receive £400 per student for the school. It invested previous scholarship funding in a 3D printer.
