Arkwright Scholarship success for Wycombe Abbey pupils

Wycombe Abbey are thrilled that three students have recently been awarded with the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. This highly regarded scholarship is designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as outstanding future engineers.

The scholarships are awarded to hard-working 16-year-old students through a rigorous selection process. Each 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 ways, for example, valuable hands-on work experience, support for a curriculum project and a personal mentor who can help with aspects of the scholars’ studies and career planning.

This year, Lucy Crampton (Teacher of DT and Housemistress of Junior House) celebrates 30 years since being awarded her Arkwright Scholarship (sponsored by Lloyds Register of Shipping) and over this period over 6000 scholarships have since been awarded to other budding engineers. 

Miss Crampton said: "Being awarded the scholarship was a pivotal point in my life; it gave me confidence in my abilities and aptitude for engineering and provided me with some key contacts and further insights into engineering as a career. It led to a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and my first career as an engineer working in the packaging industry both in the UK and North America."

Miss Crampton has been involved in the Arkwright Scholarships ever since, interviewing candidates, acting as a chaperone on trips and now as a teacher encouraging pupils to apply. It is fantastic to know that engineering is a career path that the girls at Wycombe Abbey are keen to pursue and that Arkwright can also play a part in this.

Last year, Wania (UVI) was awarded an Arkwright Scholarship sponsored by checkout.com and this year the school congratulates Rebecca (LVI) (sponsored by Finbourne Technology Ltd.) and Bella (LVI) (sponsored by the RAF) on receiving their scholarship.

Rebecca said: "The process of applying for Arkwright was an experience in itself; it provided me with the opportunity to enhance my technical drawing abilities, as well as put my creative and innovative skills to the test. Furthermore, the interview also offered me the chance to further refine my interview and communication skills, all of which are valuable competencies to master. I am humbled to be awarded a scholarship, and I am keen to explore the long-term prospects that accompany this unique opportunity."