Hollie has a winning way with words

A sixth form student has won a highly acclaimed national essay prize.

Hollie Akers,17,wh oat tends St Bede’ s Catholic Comprehensive School& Byron Sixth Form College, in Peter lee, won an Ox Net essay prize in Philosophy and World Religions Studies.

Ox Net is an education access programme designed to help more students from state schools gain access to Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group universities.

Each year, students from across the UK enter the OxNet programme where they submit an essay to secure a place. Hollie’s essay was also judged to be the best essay entry in her course category.

Hollie was one of six Year 12 students from St Bede’s to be accepted onto the prestigious course.

She said :“I feel so grateful that I had the opportunity to

take part. To actually win is such an amazing achievement that I’m very proud of.

“I’ve learnt several new essay writing skills and had a taster into various topics around philosophical thinking.

“I’m excited to see where this achievement will lead

me.

"Hopefully it will help to open up many doors in the future.”

Martin Old, St Bede’s OxNet coordinator said: “Not only were a quarter of the OxNet places won by our school out of the 25 places available for the North East, but Hollie has excelled even further by winning the prize essay for Philosophy and World Religions Studies.

“Hollie coming out top is not just a reflection of her own achievements but also demonstrates the quality and depth of the education we provide here at St Bede’s.”