Teen gifted a place at UK's poshest school for his 16th birthday

Will Pattinson received the perfect present on his 16th birthday - a place at one of Britain's top schools. In September next year the head boy at Audenshaw School will continue his studies at Harrow.

He will follow in the footsteps of OId Harrovians including Bury-born Sir Robert Peel, Winston Churchill, Lord Byron, and King Hussein of Jordan who attended the all-board "School on the Hill" near London. It was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter from Elizabeth I and sits in a 324-acre estate.

Will's academic and sporting prowess earned him a place. But he had to progress through a tough selection process to make the grade.

"I applied after a member of the staff at Harrow came in to do a mini presentation of what the school is and what they expect from people who attend their school.

"She took a particular interest in me as they are looking for people with academic and sporting ability and thought I was qualified and decided to go ahead with the application process."

He said: "You have to do, what I would say was a harder than GCSE test in every subject that you are planning to do at A-level - at Harrow you do four A-levels.

"So I did maths and physics under exam conditions at Audenshaw School. After that in the selection process I was short-listed and then I went to Harrow to do exams in economics and geography.

"I then had three interviews. One was with a maths teacher and one with a sports teacher. They were asking me about daily and school life. Then I went to a seminar which was interesting. It is one of the best schools in the country and for a pupil from a state school is brilliant for myself, my family and my school."

Will, from Denton, added: "I play rugby union and league. I play for my school, a club, and the Sale Sharks Player Development Group. I started playing in Year 8, so for about three years. They have five rugby teams at Harrow and it is quite rare for a student from state schools to get into the first team."

Will's parents Grant and Keely are proud of his achievements. And so too is his school. Adrian Sutherland, teacher of PE, student leadership, and director of rugby at Audenshaw School, said: "In February 2024, I reached out to Nicola Dunne from Harrow School, their Northwest Regional Access Officer.

"In Nicola's role, she searches for suitable applicants to Harrow School to receive a transformational scholarship. The right candidate would receive the fees for attendance and boarding at Harrow School for their A levels, fully paid.

"Nicola came to Audenshaw School and presented to ten of our students who were the top academic achievers of their year group, based on assessment reports. Will has been offered the full transformational scholarship to board at Harrow for A levels beginning September 2025 after he completes his GCSEs at Audenshaw School."

Fees at Harrow for board, tuition, textbooks, stationary, and laundry, are £20,528 per term.

"Will is a fantastic student with a real drive for academic achievement. He is predicted grades 8 and 9 across all subjects. He is passionate about the school and this is demonstrated in his role as Head Boy. He runs the Student Leadership team which features 13 Senior prefects below him and 40 prefects below that.

"Will has spoken on stage to over 100 parents on open evenings and leads tours of the school for parents, visitors, and interview applicants regularly. One of his greatest features is his confidence and ability to hold mature conversation. He can think critically and logically and is an excellent problem solver.

"Additionally to this, he is a fantastic rugby player. He represents the school each Saturday in our fixtures on a high quality rugby circuit. He trains hard and has worked tirelessly on his rugby development which has seen him selected by the Sale Sharks PDG.

"Will plays for the school side every Saturday and midweek for cup games. He is captain of the side and he plays second row. He is a strong ball carrier, a defensive warrior and an inspirational leader on the pitch."

Will plays for Aldwinians RUFC on a Sunday and in rugby league plays for Oldham St Anne's. He also represents the Sale Sharks PDG (player development group) - a stepping stone into the Sale Sharks Academy and a professional route into rugby if selected for the academy at U18.

Mr Sutherland said: "Will's achievement can serve as an inspiration to hundreds of young people in Tameside and Greater Manchester.

"It shows that with hard work ethic and real passion, you can access the same opportunities as those more privileged.

"Attending Harrow School is not a luxury afforded to most and Will has earned his place there through sheer determination and resilience. It's a real success story. It will serve to inspire many of our boys for years to come. Will received his offer from Harrow on his 16th birthday - he describes it as the best birthday present ever.

"For a 16 year old boy from Tameside, attending a local state comprehensive school, this is such a life changing opportunity. It also serves as an inspiration to hundreds of other boys like Will in the local area."