A local Sixth Form student has been successful in achieving a place at the prestigious Harvard University in the USA to study Maths and Economics. Alex Stevenson, a student at the Midsomer Norton Sixth Form, was encouraged by his teachers to apply. Norton Hill and

Somervale are the Harvard UK link schools for the South West of England, supporting students in applying to top American universities.

Alex was also supported by the Sutton Trust, which works to encourage academically talented British students to consider studying in the USA. Alex beat competition from across the country to get a full scholarship to fund his studies there.

Selection was not just about getting good grades: the selection panel was

particularly impressed with Alex's voluntary work helping younger students in his favourite subjects of Maths and Economics.

Alex himself is delighted to have been chosen: "I wouldn't be in the position I am today without the encouragement and dedication that I received from everyone in the Sixth Form. The support I was given throughout the application process was extraordinary. I cannot thank my teachers enough for giving up a considerable amount of their time to write my references and

support my ambitions."

Karen Ward, Director of Sixth Form, said, "I am so pleased with this news. We are used to our students getting to top British universities and I hope that Alex is the first of many to progress to world-class universities across the USA. This shows that our programme to

encourage students to aspire to be the very best is being successful, giving them the same advantages as students in any independent school."

As part of its role as the Harvard UK link school in the South West, the

Midsomer Norton Sixth Form is running a specialised Information Evening for Year 11 and Year 12 students and their parents who are thinking of applying to USA

universities. This will start at 6 p.m. on the Somervale School site, in Midsomer Norton, on Thursday, 24th April and is open to all students within the South-West region.