TWO school pupils have been awarded scholarships from an organisation that gives them to year 11s across the country.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships organises scholarships to be awarded to high-calibre 16-year-old students through a rigorous selection process and support them through the two years of their A-levels, Scottish Advanced Highers or equivalent qualifications.

This year two pupils from Keswick School, Sam Lees and Molly Palmer, were successful in receiving an Arkwright Scholarship and went to Edinburgh University during October half term to receive the awards from their sponsoring company.

They will also receive £300 in each of years 12 and 13 if they continue along an engineering career path.

Sam Lees said: “I was very happy to receive the Arkwright scholarship as engineering was my favourite subject at GCSE and so this is a great opportunity to further my engineering skills.

“This will greatly help me develop my understanding of engineering and take my first steps towards a successful engineering career.”

To gain a scholarship, pupils need to complete an application describing their engineering interests and a project that they have completed.

They then sit a design exam where they are given some problems to solve.

If they gain high enough marks, they then have an interview, much like applying for an engineering job.

Last year 425 scholarships were awarded across the country from more than 2,000 applicants.

It is a nationally recognised prestigious award.

Head of technology, Mr Mather, said: “It’s great that the pupils have been motivated by their GCSE engineering work to take it further and enhance their career prospects with this award.”

Every Scholarship is sponsored by a commercial company, trade association, university, professional institution, armed service, government organisation, worshipful company, charitable trust or personal donor.

This means that support is offered in various different ways, for example, valuable hands-on work experience, support for your curriculum project and a personal mentor who can help you with aspects of your studies and career planning.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are for the “brightest and best” students that have the passion and determination to succeed in their future studies and career

Head of technology, Mrs Winskill, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the hard work of these pupils has paid off.

“Congratulations go to Sam and Molly.”