Member Article

A* student scoops school award for outstanding achievement in science

A Flintshire student with their sights set on a career in physics has been recognised by her former school for achieving top science grades.

Ailish Leiper, 19, from Mold, was named winner of the Alun School’s annual Synthite science prize after excelling at the subject in her A-levels.

Sponsored by Mold-based chemicals firm Synthite, the prize goes to the student who has demonstrated exceptional effort in the subject over the previous 12 months, and has been running since 1996.

The budding scientist earned an A* in physics, and As in chemistry and maths, to secure a place at the University of Bristol where she is studying for a bachelors in physics.

The prestigious course is rated 13th overall in the UK, with the university ranked as the 15th best in Britain according to The Complete University Guide.

Outside of her studies, she plays football and works part-time at Mold sweet shop and children’s party venue Spavens.

And Ailish, who also achieved A*s in physics, chemistry, and biology in her GCSEs, is now aspiring to enjoy more success in science.

She said: “Physics has been my favourite subject since I started doing my GCSEs, and ever since then I’ve been reading books and watching TV about it in my own time.

“It offers so many career opportunities, from engineering to research, so I’m going to continue with my course to find out which industry suits me best.

“The science department at the Alun provided lots of support to get the grades that helped me get where I am today.”

Dr Tim Erasmus, head of sixth form at the Alun, said: “Ailish fully deserves this award for her consistent high grades in science throughout her time with us.

“It’s no surprise that she is now advancing in physics at one of the UK’s top universities, and I’m sure her academic excellence will continue there.”

Sana Niazi, director and commercial general manager at Synthite, said: “As a company that relies on scientific knowledge, it’s fantastic to see a local student continuing her studies in this field.

“The award has been running for a number of years to promote the career paths in science to young people like Ailish.

“She is a model student and I wish her all the best in her university studies and future career.”

Synthite has operated from Alyn Works, Denbigh Road, Mold, since the 1950s. It employs 120 people.

Its main product is formaldehyde, a basic building block of the chemical industry. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of a vast array of everyday goods, ranging from cosmetics to furniture and floorboards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .