Future Vets and Medics celebrate their success at Richard Huish College

In yet another extremely competitive year for Medicine and Veterinary Science courses, six Huish students have defied the odds and successfully secured university places to pursue their dream careers.

The offers include three students from the Class of 2021 who have just completed a gap year. Hockey player, Hector Innes (ex-The Castle School) gained A* grades in Physics and Chemistry, and an A grade in Mathematics, to earn a place to study Medicine and Surgery at Newcastle University.

Also off to study Medicine, this time at Southampton University, is Ella Parsons an ex-Huish Episcopi Academy pupil who demonstrated incredible resilience at Huish battling chronic ME as she achieved A* grades in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Chemistry Course Manager, Joanna Clare shared “Her ability to persevere even when she has found Chemistry difficult is beyond admirable and she proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is an exemplary scientist”.

Olivia MacConnell (ex-The Castle School) is set to achieve her Veterinary Science ambitions at the University of Surrey after an initial setback in 2021. Despite achieving A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, alongside an A grade in Core Maths, her initial Veterinary application was denied. Olivia was not disheartened however and seized the opportunity to complete a gap year as a Teaching Assistant at St George’s Catholic Primary School as she reapplied. She shared; “If things don’t go as you have planned, don’t give up! I have learnt so many skills which will benefit me in the future. Studying at Huish was one of the highlights of my education. I received a high level of teaching from all my amazing subject teachers and was given the opportunity to excel in my chosen subjects. Another highlight has been my time spent as a Teaching Assistant. I’ve enjoyed the challenge this job role has brought me, allowing me to develop transferable skills in such an encouraging environment”.

Amongst the Class of 2022, three students have gained places to study Medicine. Headed to the University of Birmingham are Andrew Belfield (ex-Court Fields School) and Oliver Henden (ex-Queens College) who both studied A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, achieving grades A*AA and A*A*A* respectively. Oliver also achieved an A* in his Extended Project Qualification. Celebrating his results, he shared “my favourite thing about Huish has been the atmosphere, the social life at Huish has been really nice”. Former The Castle School student Cora Edwards will be studying Medicine at the University of Liverpool after getting A* grades in Biology and Chemistry, an A grade in Geography and an A grade in AS German.