A sixth form student has become the first from Workington Academy to be offered a place at prestigious Oxford University.
Dan Bell, 17, who will sit his A-Levels in the summer, has received the offer to read maths at Oxford’s Queen’s College, which can count Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the worldwide web among its famous alumni.
And such is Dan’s prowess in his favourite subject that he’s also received offers to study at other leading institutions in Manchester, Leeds and St Andrews once he’s completed his education in Cumbria.
Dan, who is also the academy’s head boy, modestly played down his achievement and the milestone it represents for the Stainburn Road academy.
He said: “I wasn’t expecting an offer, so I was really surprised and delighted when I found out. I’m also waiting on an application to Imperial College in London before I make any decisions and, of course, I have to get the right grades as well.”
Dan, who gained five top grade 9s among his GCSEs and runs a chess club at the academy, said he was open about his future career but was potentially interested in lecturing and research.
He added: “Maths is fundamental to all the sciences and I’ve been fascinated by it since junior school. I’ve enjoyed it all the way through and had great support from all my teachers, particularly the subject teachers at the academy.
Head of the academy’s sixth form Andrea McAllister said: “We are thrilled that Dan has secured this offer at Oxford. He has worked so hard during his time here with us, both on his studies and contributing to school life as a whole.
“We are really proud of him and all of our students who are holding university offers. These include eight unconditionals and a wealth of offers for prestigious universities including Leeds, St Andrews, Newcastle, Lancaster, Manchester, Durham, Nottingham and Edinburgh.”
Over the last three years, on average 98% of Workington’s sixth form students have gone on to university study, apprenticeship training or into employment. In September, Workington will join with The Whitehaven Academy in setting up the West Coast Sixth Form, offering both traditional A-Level courses and a new range of vocational subjects for students from across West Cumbria.
Both Workington and Whitehaven are part of Cumbria Education Trust, which is responsible for nine academies and almost 4,000 pupils and students across the county.
