Highflyers head to Cambridge University with help of OCR bursaries

Highflyers head to Cambridge University with help of OCR bursaries

Thirteen of the West Midlands’ most talented A level students, described as “remarkable”, “outstanding”, “extremely gifted” and “exceptional”, have won bursaries from exam board OCR to support them with studies at the University of Cambridge.

One of those students is Sehrish Mahmood from Cradley Heath, who attended Ormiston Forge Academy and will be studying Law at Magdalene College.

The students, all of whom are about to begin studies at Cambridge, will receive £3,000 for each year of their undergraduate studies. This will allow them to make the most of their time at university rather than worrying about money. The students attended schools and colleges across the West Midlands, including in Birmingham, Coventry, Redditch, Uttoxeter, Bromsgrove, Cradley Heath, Stratford and Shrewsbury.

Sehrish said: “I feel very fortunate to have been granted the OCR Bursary. The financial support will allow me to engage in many opportunities presented at the University of Cambridge, in regards to both my studies and any extracurricular activities I take on, that may not have been accessible to me otherwise. I am confident that the absence of financial burden will enable me to flourish at the university, and maximise my potential. To OCR I am thankful, as I know this bursary will benefit me, and others, greatly.“

The bursary winners were celebrated at an event at OCR’s Coventry offices on 19 September.

Congratulating the students on their achievements, Saul Nassé, Chief Executive of OCR’s parent organisation, Cambridge Assessment, said: “We feel lucky to play our small part in helping these 13 outstanding students with their studies at Cambridge University.

“They won places at Cambridge, so they are all academic high flyers but they have other talents too. Many have supported other students in their schools and carried out voluntary work in their local communities. There are also gifted musicians, performing artists, sportspeople, debaters and science and maths competition winners amongst them.

“It has been great to meet them today, along with their families and the teachers who have inspired and supported them. I am sure they will all flourish at Cambridge University and I wish them all the best for their time in college and beyond.“