Poolside chat led to teen's private school bursary

Felix Merritt says he was given a chance to excel at a school which he believed was "always out of reach"

A teenager said he was "overjoyed" with his A-level grades after a chance encounter led to him being offered a free place at his "dream school".

Felix Merritt, an 18-year-old former GB swimmer turned rower, gained a 110% bursary to attend the private and prestigious Millfield School in Somerset.

After his mother got chatting to a stranger beside a pool, she learnt about a charity which connects children from disadvantaged backgrounds with funding.

Mr Merritt said attending the boarding school "really focused" him, securing straight-A's and earning a place at the University of Bath to study mechanical engineering.

The 100% bursary, funded by Millfield, covers tuition fees, uniform, travel and essential items

Upon applying to the Springboard Foundation, Mr Merritt was given funding to cover tuition fees, uniform and sports kit, travel to and from school, and essential items.

"The support that I have had in house has been amazing and I cannot thank them enough," he said.

"Millfield has really boosted me academically and I think that is due to the teachers, being around like-minded peers, and the support from my house parents."

The teenager gained A grades in maths, physics and product design - despite battling long-term health conditions ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

'Out of reach'

Having previously represented Great Britain in 2022 in the 100/200m backstroke swimming events, Mr Merritt discovered rowing at Millfield and began training regularly.

He recently competed in the British Rowing Championships and returned home with a silver medal, having only been rowing for a year.

"Coming to Millfield really focused me. I would not have done as well if I stayed at my old school," he said.

"I am overjoyed with my results and so grateful for the opportunities that I have had these past two years, at what I can only describe as my dream school that was always out of reach."

Headmaster Gavin Horgan said: "Felix epitomises what Millfield can do for a young person given the opportunity to access and balance academics and sport at high levels."