A Year 11 student from the City of Norwich School has won one of the UK's most prestigious engineering scholarships.

Eastern Daily Press: Tim Hare, from City of Norwich School, celebrating after winning the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. Photo: Louise RyanTim Hare, from City of Norwich School, celebrating after winning the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. Photo: Louise Ryan (Image: Archant)

Tim Hare, 16, was awarded the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, which includes a £600 grant, after completing the rigorous selection process.

The budding engineer was selected to enter the contest after building his own working radio in a product design class.

Tim is a member of the local amateur radio club, and led a contact day with British astronaut Tim Peake, hosted by City of Norwich School.

The competition also required him to complete an independent project at home, take a two hour design exam, and participate in a full day of assessment at the University of Cambridge.

The scholarship is named after the 18th century engineer,Sir Richard Arkwright: the inventor of the water frame, and the 'father' of the modern factory system.

It was launched in 1991 by a group of headteachers and is intended to 'encourage and stimulate high-ability 15-16-year-olds to consider engineering and technical design as a career'.

Some 4,000 scholarships have been awarded to students to date.

As a recipient of the scholarship, Tim will be partnered with a company and receive sponsorship throughout his sixth form years, and insight into how the business operates.

He will also receive: a £600 grant; a mentor who can provide career advice and guidance about his future studies; access to events run by companies, universities, and trade associations and networking opportunities.

The scholarship also offers access to an Arkwright Undergraduate Scholarship worth £12,000 for subjects in engineering, computing or technical design

Tim said: 'I'm really pleased to have won the competition, and I can't wait to find out who my sponsor is.

'I'd like to thank all of my teachers who have helped me to achieve this.'

Teacher Louise Ryan, deputy curriculum leader for art, design and technology at the City of Norwich School, said: 'It's amazing, and we're all really proud of him.

'The Arkwright Scholarship will give him the opportunity to do things that he wouldn't normally get the chance to do and will open so many doors for him.'