University challenge for Oxford quartet

BRIGHT futures . . . (from left) Anna Newton, Chris Butler, Elsie Tough (head teacher), David Stutt and Fiona Bushell

FOUR clever A-level students will swap Crompton House for Oxford University in October — if they nail their exams this summer.

David Stutt, Fiona Bushell, Anna Newton and Chris Butler have all been offered conditional places at the prestigious establishment.

The quartet will join six ex-Crompton House pupils already studying at Oxford if they keep their side of the bargain and pass their A-levels with flying colours.

From 164 students in Year 13, seven applied to Oxbridge and four passed the gruelling tests and interviews to be offered conditional places.

David, who currently studies German, English language and chemistry, has a place at Mansfield College to read Arabic.

He said: “I want to study Arabic because three years ago my father and I visited the Alhambra in Spain and I became fascinated by the intricate patterns and inscriptions on the palace walls.”

Fiona, who is doing A-levels in economics, government & politics, French and combined English, hopes to study law at Christchurch College.

She said: “We were all given mock interviews at school as part of the Aim-Higher course and these helped a lot.”

Anna, who is doing A-levels in biology, chemistry and English literature, has a place to study medicine at Queens College.

She said: “The four interviews over three days were nerve-wracking!”

Crompton House School is affiliated to the Woodard group of schools, which are mainly independent schools, and run courses for aspiring Oxbridge students.

Anna added: “As well as being prepared at school I went to some Woodard Master classes at Oxford which were also very helpful.”

Chris, who is studying studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry, has a place to read computing science at Balliol College.

He said: “Luckily Crompton House offers further maths as well as maths which gave me an advantage.”

Head teacher Elsie Tough said: “These four young people have worked exceedingly hard and many of our excellent teachers have prepared them for the interviews at Oxford.

“They told me how thought-provoking some of their questions were, but these are very intelligent young men and women and they were not daunted by them.”