Two Penrice Academy Students Secure Marlborough College Places

Two Year 11 students from Penrice Academy in St Austell have secured places at Marlborough College through a fully funded Cornish bursary scheme.

Reuben and Rose have both been offered places at the prestigious college, with funding provided through Marlborough College’s Cornish Funding Scheme. The bursary is fully means tested and can cover up to 100% of fees, as well as uniform, equipment and trips.

Highly Competitive Achievement

Entry to Marlborough College is highly competitive, with offers only made to students who demonstrate strong academic potential, character and the ability to thrive in a demanding environment.

Reuben, who is a keen sportsman, will study A-Levels in PE, Geography and Business Studies. Rose, who has a passion for the arts, will take A-Levels in Fine Art, History of Art and French, alongside the Extended Project Qualification.

Marlborough College also praised Penrice Academy’s ambitious atmosphere, highlighting the drive shown by students to push themselves both academically and personally.

Funded Through Cornish Scheme

The places have been funded through the College’s share of proceeds from the sale of the Trevalga Estate in North Cornwall. The funding is provided in memory of benefactor Gerald Curgenven and is designed to support talented young people from Cornwall.

Mrs Stevenson, Careers and Future Pathways Leader at Penrice, said:
“This success is about widening access and breaking through glass ceilings for the young people of St Austell. The Cornish Funding Scheme ensures that opportunities at Marlborough are available to any Penrice student who has the drive to apply. Reuben and Rose have shown incredible determination. We are thrilled for them and so excited for what their futures hold!”

She added:
“We are incredibly proud of the relationship we’ve developed with Marlborough College over the past 18 months, and we’re genuinely excited to see what the future holds for our successful students. If anyone is interested in exploring this opportunity further, please feel free to come and talk to me – I’m always happy to help”.

Growing Opportunities at Penrice

The link between Penrice Academy and Marlborough College is continuing, with the college visiting earlier this term to deliver an assembly for Year 10 students. The session focused on raising aspirations, sharing details about the Cornish Funding Scheme and meeting students interested in applying next year.

This achievement comes as part of a wider development in the school’s careers programme. In 2024, Penrice launched its Future Medics Programme, supporting students aiming for careers in medicine, dentistry and healthcare through mentoring, university preparation and enrichment opportunities.

The programme has already gained national recognition, recently highlighted by the Sutton Trust as an example of best practice in widening participation for competitive career paths.

Penrice Academy also continues to meet all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, the national framework for careers education. These benchmarks include careers guidance, employer engagement, workplace experiences and tailored support to help students make informed decisions about their futures.

Together, these efforts reflect the school’s ongoing focus on raising aspirations and expanding opportunities for its students.

📷Pictured L-R: Reuben, Mrs Stevenson, and Rose