AN Alcester Grammar School pupil has been awarded a sought-after scholarship in engineering and technical design.

Year 12 pupil Tom Baxter received the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship and a £600 reward after completing an application form, a two-hour aptitude exam and an interview hosted at a top university.

Dr Martin Thomas, chief executive of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust said: “I am delighted to see an Alcester Grammar School student secure this prestigious accolade.

“Clearly, there is considerable technical talent in the Warwickshire area. With the competition for awarding jobs becoming ever-more fierce, the receipt of an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship can help dynamic young people at the start of their journey to be the country’s future leaders in engineering and technical design.”

Alcester Grammar School will receive £400 for each scholarship awarded to one of its students.

The exam tested for the candidates’ flair and originality in solving engineering and design problems.

During interview candidates were asked about their career aspirations and had to discuss an engineering project they had conducted.

Candidates also took part in a team exercise to solve a hands-on engineering problem working students they had never met before.

The Arkwright Scholarships Trust is a charity founded in 1991 that inspires future leaders in engineering and technical design.

The prestigious scholarships are funded by charitable donors including, the Reece Foundation, The Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the Gannochy Trust, the Dulverton Trust, the Emmott Foundation and S.F.I.A Educational Trust.

Leading universities and companies support the trust including Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, National Grid, Balfour Beatty, Microsoft Research, Thales, The Royal Air Force, The Royal Navy and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The scholarships are formally presented at a ceremony supported by The Institution of Engineering and Technology later in the year.