PUPILS from Wellingborough School have started off the new academic term with a series of impressive achievements.

Alice Chan and Alex Wardle-Solano have recently received offers for higher study at the University of Cambridge. The pair took part in the competitive Oxbridge application process, with thousands of aspiring undergraduates from across the world applying to the Oxford and Cambridge universities each year. Alice is a current member of the School’s Upper Sixth and is taking A-Levels in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Latin. Alex left the Sixth Form last year for a gap year while working on his application for Cambridge, having completed his A-Levels while in Year 12.

Alice has applied for a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Sidney Sussex College, while Alex will be taking his degree in Engineering at Clare College. Both the Veterinary Medicine and Engineering departments at Cambridge are the best in the country, with the university topping the league tables for both subjects. The University itself is also ranked as one of the best in the UK, and among the top five in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

In addition, pupils from Wellingborough School’s Year 11 also celebrated success with their performance in the first heat of a national public speaking contest, with the team progressing onto the next round of the competition.

Six pupils from the school took part in the contest, with Thomas Bone being named as best speaker at the event for the second year running and fellow classmate Amy Mustard named best questioner.

The six pupils were split into two teams at the event in Catmose College, Oakham. During this heat, pupils battled against teams from other local independent schools, with a panel of judges providing feedback on the content, effectiveness and style of the speakers. Pupils were placed with a guest speaker from another school to allow for an exchange of ideas across the different schools. Pupils spoke about a range of modern topics during the event, including the impact of technology on our lives and the effectiveness of prisons in the UK. Both Wellingborough teams received positive feedback from judges, with one team succeeding in reaching the Branch final, which will take place in Oakham next month.

The English-Speaking Union and the International Churchill Society host the competition annually, with pupils in Year 9 to Year 11 across the country taking part. The contest aims to improve important public speaking skills in students, as well as encourage teamwork and confidence.

Garry Bowe, Headmaster at the Wellingborough School, congratulated the achievements of the pupils, stating: “At Wellingborough School, we encourage pupils to achieve their best, both inside and outside of the classroom, and our pupils continue to make extraordinary achievements throughout the year. The successes of Alex and Alice in their Oxbridge applications demonstrate their hard work and ambition throughout their studies, and they should be incredibly proud of their phenomenal achievements.”

To find out more about Wellingborough School and meet some of our pupils, come to our Open Day on Saturday 4 March, from 9.30am until 12.30pm. More information is available at www.wellingboroughschool.org