FIVE outstanding technologists at Eggar’s School are currently going through the application process for the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.

As well as receiving £600 as part of their scholarship through a company sponsorship, successful applicants will be allocated a professional engineer as a mentor.

Other benefits include day visits and work experience with their paired company and curriculum support for their projects.

Neil Waite, curriculum leader for design and technology at the school, explained the scheme and its benefits.

“The Arkwright Scholarship offers some amazing support for our top students as they study and work toward a career in engineering,” he said.

“The rigorous application procedure includes a two-hour exam and an interview at a designated university. We’ve had some successful applicants over the last three years and this year’s candidates are particularly strong.

“We wish them all the very best with their applications and their future careers.”

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarship describes itself as the most prestigious scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to “inspire and nurture school-age students to be the country’s future leaders of the engineering profession”.

The scholarships are awarded to “high-calibre 16-year-old students” through a “rigorous selection process” and support students through the two years of their A-Levels.

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

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