Place at Harrow was 'best birthday present ever' for talented Audenshaw School head boy

A Tameside schoolboy has described his acceptance at one of the UK's poshest schools as 'the best birthday present ever'.

Audenshaw School's head boy discovered he had received a scholarship to study at Harrow School on his 16th birthday.

Now the talented young rugby player will swap Tameside for North London when he takes up his place at the famous public school.

Will won his place after sitting a series of exams in the subject he will study at A-level and attending a tough interview at the school where fees are more than £20,000 a term.

Famous Harrovians include seven former Prime Ministers, including Sir Winston Churchill, and 19 holders of the Victoria Cross.

It was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter from Elizabeth I and sits in a 324-acre estate.

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.

Audenshaw's Teacher of PE and Student Leadership Lead and  Director of Rugby, Adrian Sutherland revealed how Will had come to Harrow's attention.

He said: "In February 2024, I reached out to Nicola Dunne from Harrow School.

"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 applied to Harrow and following a process of application was asked to sit examinations in his chosen A level subjects.

"Under invigilated examination conditions, Will completed a series of examinations for Harrow and was subsequently invited to their school for an assessment day.

"Following the assessment day which included more assessments and interviews, he 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).

"Will is currently on track for 8s and 9s across all of his GCSE subjects and is also a talented rugby player, something he looks forward to continuing whilst at Harrow School.

"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."