A TALENTED Vale student has been awarded a bursary towards her studies at the University of Cambridge by UK examining body OCR.

Having recently completed her A-levels at Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham, Shanti Daffern, of Woollas Hall, Eckington, was presented with her prize on Friday, September 20, by Liam Sammon, OCR director of commercial and education services, at a ceremony in Coventry.

Shanti, who will read English at Peterhouse College, will now receive £3,000 for each year of her undergraduate studies, which she can use for living or tuition costs.

The award fund, arising from OCR’s historical association with the West Midlands Exam Board, helps talented students in the region make the most of their studies at the University of Cambridge.

She said: “I am so grateful to OCR for awarding me a bursary. Coming from a lowincome background, the costs involved in university study have been daunting.

“Now instead of worrying about finances, I can focus on why I’m really going to Cambridge – to explore a subject I love while having a host of new, scary, brilliant experiences.

”I hope to join the Cambridge Union and other societies, to travel and to concentrate on my studies without juggling a job alongside.

“The OCR bursary is a fantastic scheme and a real testament to OCR’s ethos.”

Alan Roberts, deputy headteacher, said: “Shanti is an extremely conscientious and hardworking student who wants to be involved in everything.

“She never turns down an opportunity and consequently the award of this bursary will enable her to continue in this way at Cambridge.”