A Glasgow teenager is to become the first pupil from his school to go to Oxford University.
Jack Wands has secured a place as the prestigious institution to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) - following in the footsteps of prime ministers.
The St Andrew’s Secondary student aced the notoriously tricky entrance exam for the course and will be the first in his family to go to university when he moves to Oxford in the summer.
Jack, from Gartharmlock, said: “I was surprised to get in. It still hasn’t sunk in, I’m still surprised.
“I’ve always been really interested in Modern Studies so this course seemed perfect - and I went for it."
Jack took part in a summer internship in London with the Social Mobility Foundation and spoke to people there about his choice of university.
They encouraged him to apply for Oxford as well as three Glasgow universities.
And when he received his letter of acceptance, he couldn’t believe it.
Jack added: “My parents are over the moon and my friends are almost as excited as I am. Some of them are more excited.
“I have to mention my headteacher, who has given me all the support I needed.
“As soon as he heard what I wanted to do he contacted the headteacher at St Aloysious and asked for his help.
“I wouldn’t be doing it without Mr Lyons.”
To prepare him for the entrance exams, his headteacher, Gerard Lyons, arranged for Jack to go to sessions at St Aloysius private school, where it is the norm for pupils to go to Oxbridge.
Jack, 17, said: “I know that I will have a very different background from the other students at Oxford.
“Even when I was at St Aloysious that was very clear. They have been trained from primary school to have ambitions such as going to Oxford and have been coached in the right direction.
“But I’m sure I’ll fit in if I work hard.”
Jack travelled to Oxford in November for three days to take the written and verbal examinations required to get in to the course.
The degree is well-known as a route into politics with alumni including David Cameron, Tony Benn, Edwna Currie, David and Ed Milliband, Jeremy Hunt and Edward Heath.
And the verbal exam is notoriously tricky with potential students asked questions desiged to show how they think.
Jack is supported by his proud dad Robert, 44, and mum Karen, 45, a nursery nurse, as well as little sister Lucy, 11, who will go to St Andrew’s Secondary next year.
Robert, a delivery driver, said: “I’m just bursting with pride. It’s all his doing. We’ve supported him but it’s entirely his doing.
“Jack has been studying so hard for this. He has plenty of friends and he’s into his music but he works really hard at his studies.
“A lot of people don’t even bother to apply because it’s so hard to get into but Jack gave it his best shot.
“We had another little girl, Katie, who died at five days old when Jack was just starting secondary school.
“It was a terrible time for us but he’s even worked through that to achieve his goals.”
Robert is so delighted by his son’s success that he’s even telling clients on his delivery route - including singing star Amy Macdonald.
The family now needs to find £27,000 for the university fees and support for Jack to live in Oxford.
Robert added: “The school is helping us look for bursaries to help with the fees and we’ll need to cover Jack’s dig money as well.
“But it’s not a problem. We’re going to make it happen, no matter what.”
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