A STEVENSTON schoolboy is heading south this summer to attend a prestigious summer school at Oxford University.

Mark Turnbull, 16, is a fifth year pupil at Auchenharvie Academy and will take his place in the summer programme next month

The teenager, who got six A’s in his National 5s last year, explained what he had to do and what he is looking forward to about the experience where he will study physics.

Mark said: “I had to do a personal statement, predicted grades, what subjects I like and why I like the subject I wanted to study.

“I’m going for two weeks and the idea is that I am going there and the people that have applied are like me and I hope that they are thinking the same things as me only differently and getting a lot of answers to questions on maths and physics.”

Academically minded Mark said he wishes to study maths or physics at university once he graduates from Auchenharvie but has aspirations for further work in higher education.

He added: “I would maybe do a PHD. I would like to stay at university as long as I could and maybe start a research group.”

Calum Johnston, headteacher at Auchenharvie Academy, decided to use some money from the Pupil Equity Fund to help get Mark to Oxford.

He said: “I am exceptionally proud of all the pupils at the school and we have a diverse range of pupils for whom success means different things. Mark is exceptionally academic and talented. I am incredibly proud for him, for his family and to see his really hard work pay off.

“For Mark to go down there and represent our school, his family and our local community, it makes me burst with pride.”

Mark’s mum Lynn said: “He has always been ambitious and always said that this is what he wants to do. Oxford has always been on the cards and we are proud that his dream is coming true.”

Mark said: “I want to thank the school, they have pushed me a fair deal to get to where I am, the teachers, Mrs Campbell who answered a lot of the questions I had when I was younger and others like Miss Lynch, Mrs Garry and Mrs Fletcher and Benjamin, me and him are always discussing things.”