FOUR students from a Worcester independent school have been awarded prestigious scholarships for their work in design and technology.

Duncan Leary, James Scott, William Short and Luca Volpe, all lower sixth form students at RGS Worcester & Alice Ottley School, attended a ceremony which was held at the Institution of Engineering & Technology in Savoy Place, London, where they each picked up Arkwright Scholarships.

The students were sponsored by Worcester, Bosch Group.

“Worcester is proud to be part of such a worthwhile scheme.” said Tobias Geibel, director of engineering at the Worcester-based firm.

“It is important that companies support our future generations, after all they are the ones who will be responsible for shaping our future technologies.”

Scholars are selected following a rigorous selection process comprising an application, Arkwright aptitude paper and interview.

During the interview students present their GCSE project work to a panel of interviewers demonstrating a commitment to design, engineering and technology.

The interviewees participate in a team activity and tour the engineering / design departments.

In all, 238 scholarships were awarded, following applications from 740 candidates.

Ian Morris, the director of the British Fluid Power Association, one of Arkwright’s new major sponsors, said: “Seeing 238 scholars who had achieved such outstanding results in their exam schedule put themselves through the Arkwright selection procedure is a most reassuring sign that the engineering is far from finished in this country.

“The certificates presented to scholars and sponsors by Ray Roberts, president of the BFPA, are just the first step on one of life’s most rewarding journeys, a career in engineering.”

The Arkwright Trust was founded in 1990 and supports young people during their Alevel/ Scottish highers years by awarding £250 a year to assist with the purchase of materials and books.

Each student will also carry the status of Arkwright Scholar into university.

The school’s design and technology department receives £225 a year for the next two years.

“This is the second year that RGSAO has managed to get four students through the rigorous assessment procedure,”

said David Cotterill, head of design and technology at RGSAO.

“From the statistics it can be seen how difficult it is for a school to obtain more than one scholarship.

“Four is a very exceptional achievement.”

The money awarded to the school through the scholarship scheme has been used to purchase new equipment.