Academic Academic Profiles
Academic Profiles
Academic Profiles
Academic Pupil Profiles:
The pupils listed here are all top academic achievers at Millfield. They form the backbone of the School’s Academic Society and each demonstrates that success in the classroom can be mirrored by high performances in extra-curricular activities, in sports and in the arts. They will complete their A Levels in the Summer of 2008.
David Bell
As President of the Academic Society in the Autumn Term and Head Boy of Millfield in the Spring Term, David Bell is a highly respected and prominent figure of ability at the School. Following a successful interview, David has accepted a conditional offer from Clare College, Cambridge, to read History next year. Having comfortably secured As in History, English Literature, Government and Politics and French at AS Level, David is concentrating on History, English and Politics for A2. David joined Millfield in the Sixth Form, entering with a clear sweep of 9 A stars at GCSE. At Knutsford High School in Cheshire, where David went to school before coming to Millfield, he completed his Young Enterprise Certificate (OCR) in Year 10.
David is also a phenomenal hockey player. A member of the first boys’ squad at Millfield, David has also played for England Under 18s, but is by no means above representing Butleigh at inter-house Football. He remarks that Millfield has been the perfect place to combine and balance his academic work with his hockey; the routine of the School, he says, is conducive to managing busy schedules and helps pupils like him make progress across the boards.
Katie Campbell
Katie Campbell gained an impressive 10 A stars and an A in Additional Maths at GCSE and has continued to soar through AS Levels with similar flair. With As in English Literature, Mathematics, Economics and Geography it is not surprising that Katie has received several offers from Universities; she is trying to decide between LSE and the University of Warwick to study Economics and with conditional offers of AAA and a pass at Further Maths and AABB respectively, Katie has established high targets. She maintains that Millfield has encouraged her to be ambitious, but realistically so.
Katie will no doubt take this ambition into her future career; she particularly enjoys the mathematical side of the subject and thinks that there is a good chance she will go down the banking line, perhaps going into trading in the city. She is undertaking the new Investment and Securities course this year and is wisely keeping her options open.
When Katie is not intent on her studies, she enjoys pursuing Duke of Edinburgh and is currently completing her Gold Award.
Amelia Dowsett
Talented pupil Amelia Dowsett took her GCSEs at Millfield, gaining 9 A stars, 1 A, an A star in the Short Course ICT and an A in Additional Maths. She has already attained an A in A2 Level Mathematics, As in AS Level Physics and Chemistry and Bs in AS Level English Literature and Critical Thinking. Amelia is currently undertaking the full Biology A2 in one year and is intending to read Medicine at University. As backup, Amelia has a place to read Biochemistry at the University of York.
Amelia is also an exceptional musician and is a full-time music scholar at Millfield. At the age of 15 she attained her Grade 8 with Distinction on the flute and on the oboe. She is Grade 8 standard on the cello and on piano as well. She is committed to many of the music groups in Millfield, including St. Cecelia’s (a string quartet), Flute Group, Wind Quartet, Baroque Group and Orchestra. She is also an able singer and performs with the School’s Chorale and Chamber Choir. Out of School, Amelia has played for the Somerset Youth Orchestra on flute and on oboe. Unsurprisingly, Amelia was selected to conduct her house choir in the School’s annual House Singing Competition. She relishes the new Music Department and Concert Hall at Millfield and the many opportunities that the School has provided.
Nick Hayes
Appointed as Head Boy at both Millfield Preparatory and Senior Schools, Nick Hayes sets a precedent at Millfield as an academic, rugby-playing high-flyer. At GCSE, he attained 7 A stars, 2 As and a B; his A star in Economics was acknowledged as one of the subject’s top five results in the country. At AS Level, Nick achieved As in Economics, History and Geography and passed Mathematics. Nick is hoping to read Law at University and so far has offers from Birmingham, Cardiff and Nottingham; he is waiting to hear from Durham. While Nick successfully reached the pool in applying for a place at St. John’s College, Cambridge – one of the University’s most competitive colleges – unfortunately he did not attain a place.
Nick has played for the 1st XV rugby team at Millfield throughout his Sixth Form career and competed in the final of the National Tournament at Ipswich in 2006 to beat Dulwich College. He has also represented England rugby at U16 Schools’ level and played in the Millfield International Festival. He still has time to enjoy swimming and skiing. At Millfield, Nick is also known as a strong debater and has enjoyed singing in Wells Cathedral as part of the School Chorale. Nick recognises Millfield as a place of tremendous opportunity for individuals in terms of its facilities, but also as a vibrant and stimulating community in which to meet a whole range of inspiring young people.
David Thomas
Physics and Mathematics star David Thomas has accepted a conditional offer from the University of Oxford to study Physics, pending 3 A grades at A2. David achieved an impressive 5 As at AS Level in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Double Maths, which he took a year early, and he has already secured an A in A2 Mathematics. While he does not boast straight As at GCSE Level, which many might think essential in order to receive offers from top Universities, David proves that academic success is by no means determined at such an early stage. Universities, says David, recognise the upward trend of pupils like him.
And like so many high achievers, David manages to fit in an astounding number of extra-curricular activities and has represented the school in rugby, tennis, cross country and hockey. He has even competed in Modern Pentathlon at a National Level. And if trying his hand at climbing, debating, riding, swimming, fencing and clay pigeon shooting wasn’t enough, David has successfully completed Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards during his time at Millfield.
Isabelle Westbury
Entering Millfield in the Sixth Form with 12 A stars at GCSE, one of which she attained two years early, Isabelle Westbury quickly made an impression in the School with her high academic credentials. At AS, Isabelle gained As in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physical Education; she wants to study Medicine at University. While Isabelle intends, at the moment, to go straight into Further Education, she has not discounted a gap year in which she would travel to Africa to gain some medical work experience, work for a ski season in the French Alps and focus on her cricket career in the UK.
Not only does Isabelle excel in the classroom, but she is known as a fantastic hockey and cricket player. At hockey, Isabelle represents the School in the 1st XI and she also plays for the West of England U17 squad. Her cricket record is remarkable – she plays to an International Level (U21 and Senior) as well as for Somerset Women’s 1st XI, Bath Women’s 1st XI, England Regional U19 squad for South of England and for the Millfield Boys’ Academy squad.
Isabelle is a true ambassador for the School. As Head Girl she embraces the ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos and recognises that Millfield has allowed her to combine her sport with her academic studies. She regards the School as a determined, competitive and buzzing atmosphere and as a place where everyone can fulfil their potential.