Felsted School STEM Star Claudia Awarded Prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship

A 16-year-old student at Felsted School in north Essex has been recognised as a future leader in engineering and has been awarded a top industry scholarship to help her take the first steps towards her chosen career. 

Claudia was one of the country’s top achievers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects at GCSE level this year, and also successfully completed the rigorous selection process for the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarships, which are awarded by a panel of national engineering experts.

She was recently presented with a scholarship certificate at a ceremony in the Faraday Hall at the Headquarters of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London and now benefits from an industry sponsor, who will support her as she studies for her A Levels at Felsted and then applies to study engineering at university.

‘An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is the most esteemed scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world through engineering,’ explained Mick Pitts, Head of Design & Technology at Felsted. ‘Claudia is a very worthy recipient and I have no doubt that she will make full use of this sponsorship to widen her knowledge and skills and to achieve a place on a top engineering course. She has an exciting career in engineering ahead of her.’

Each Arkwright Scholarship is sponsored by a commercial company, trade association, university, professional institution, armed service, government organisation, worshipful company, charitable trust or personal donor, and support for scholars usually includes work experience and a personal mentor to help with studying and career planning.

Says Claudia, ‘It is a real honour to have been chosen as an Arkwright Engineering Scholar and I am looking forward to making the most of all the opportunities to help me on my way to a career in either mechanical or marine engineering. I’m currently working hard for my A Levels in D&T: Product Design, Physics and Maths, which should ensure an excellent footing.’

Felsted, a co-educational independent day and boarding school, has a history of success in Arkwright Engineering Scholarship awards, Claudia is the first Felsted student since the Covid-19 pandemic to be awarded one, but in the decade before the pandemic, 8 students have been recipients. The school holds the Silver Science STEM Award, which recognises the school’s successful approach to developing skills useful for employment and life in general, including how to think critically and evaluate information, apply knowledge, conduct research and problem-solve.

For more information about A level or IB courses and boarding at Felsted School, please come along to our Sixth Form Open Morning on 13th May, visit https://www.felsted.org/opendays to register your interest.