Eton scholar Gagan returns to Newsome Academy to inspire students
Former Newsome Academy student Gagan Singh, who was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Eton College, returned to Huddersfield this term to share his journey and help inspire other young people.
Gagan left home in 2022 to study at Eton, having secured a sixth-form scholarship through the Orwell Award. The scheme, named after Old Etonian George Orwell, provides fully-funded places to talented boys whose life opportunities have been limited.
Gagan has overcome many hardships in his childhood. His father was diagnosed with colon cancer and his mother had a brain tumour resulting in a loss of vision. Despite having to care for and support his parents and siblings through their most challenging times, Gagan excelled at Newsome, where the team built a curriculum to meet his talents and needs, before supporting him in his Eton application.
Headteacher Dean Watkin has described Gagan as a “true superstar” and said the whole school was immensely proud of him.
“Gagan was always very gifted but he lacked confidence,” said Mr Watkin. “He was doing GCSEs in year 8 and A-levels in year 10 and we supported him through the whole process.
“When we helped him apply for the scholarship they said it was one of the best applications they had ever seen. He had a wobble, of course, but we spoke to his family and he went and he has loved it ever since.
“The other kids look up to him and they can aspire to follow him. Not everyone can go to Eton College but it shows that young people from in and around Huddersfield can have opportunities they never thought were possible.”
Gagan’s application was described by Eton College as one of the most compelling they had ever received and he was accepted as one of the 12 Orwell Award students in his year group. The film crew interviewed Newsome staff who encouraged and helped Gagan to apply.
Tom Arbuthnott, deputy head (partnerships) at Eton College, said: “It’s been such a thrill for us to partner with Newsome Academy in educating such a talented young man as Gagan.
“Not only has he become an Oppidan Scholar, our prime academic award for new entrants to the school, but he has thrown himself into all aspects of school life, enriching our school community and building lifelong friendships with other boys.”
Eton is a fee-paying boarding school in Windsor that has educated 20 prime ministers including Boris Johnson, David Cameron and Harold Macmillan, members of the Royal family including Prince William and Prince Harry and actors such as Damian Lewis, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Laurie.
Gagan is studying maths, further maths, chemistry and physics at Eton, as well as taking full advantage of a huge variety of opportunities on offer beyond the classroom. He has thrown himself into Eton life, learning to play the sitar, trying horse-riding for the first time and has also performed in a play, This House, about the workings of British politics. His English teacher from Newsome, Krystyna Stokes, went down to watch. Gagan is also secretary of the Scientific Society and the South Asian Society; his role is to invite speakers and arrange dinners and events.
Gagan said: “Eton College is an amazing place and the experience has helped me spread my wings. I hope I can show others what is possible”.
Although he was delighted to be offered the scholarship, it was a big step for Gagan and he had mixed feelings about moving so far away from home.
“Everyone at Newsome Academy was rooting for me and I didn’t want to let anyone down,” said Gagan. “Mr Watkin was amazing and everyone helped prepare me. It’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve no regrets. I have got to experience something that I never thought I’d get to experience.”
Speaking of his latest visit to Newsome, Gagan said “I’ve been talking to other students, which is great, and while they can’t all go to Eton, what they can do is step outside their comfort zone and that’s what I’d encourage everyone to do.”
Well done to our colleagues at Newsome, whose hard work, care and support have enabled Gagan to not only excel academically but to develop the confidence and self-belief that have opened up the world to him and helped him on his way to achieving his dreams.