Engineering boost for talented student Josh
A SCHOOLBOY has won a scholarship to help him work towards a career in engineering.
Josh Blake, 16, who attends King’s School, won a prestigious Arkwright scholarship and will receive £300 for each of his two years in sixth form.
The student hopes to use his scholarship as the first step towards a career working with Britain’s most recognisable brands.
Josh, who has just got five A*s, four As and two Bs in his GCSEs, wants to study engineering at Bath University.
Now studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and DT in the King’s Sixth Form, Josh said: “I love designing new products and developing innovative solutions to improve on what has already been produced.
“Engineering is a constant challenge and ultimately I would love to work either in the automotive or aviation industries with British companies known worldwide such as Bentley, Aston Martin or Rolls Royce.”
He added: “I think Britain’s future lies in high end manufacturing and as a young engineer you know you will have to perfect your skills to the very highest level if you want to make a career in this country.”
As well as his own scholarship pot, King’s will receive £200 per year for new equipment and Josh will get more opportunities for work experience and mentoring in industry while at school and university.
Named in honour of one of the founding fathers of the Industrial Revolution, businessman and inventor Sir Richard Arkwright, the scholarship programme aims to ensure that Britain’s engineering heritage is also part of its future.
Linda Scott, chair of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, said: “Our objective is to identify talented and committed 15-and-16year-old students and fire their enthusiasm for a career in engineering, technology, maths and science.”
Josh was one of over 2,000 applicants nationwide winning one of the 263 scholarships. To earn the award Josh completed a rigorous selection process including an interview and a practical assessment in a university laboratory.
Jeremy Nichols, King’s School’s Head of Design and Technology, said the award goes to highly talented students, adding: “Josh is an immensely talented and hard-working student who has both a methodical approach and an imaginative vision.”