Putney High School Engineers Win Arkwright Scholarships

Prestigious award comes with funding and mentoring

The three successful candidates from Putney High School

May 13, 2026

Three students from Putney High School have been awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships, one of the most respected honours available to aspiring young engineers in the UK. Audrey DR, Freya W and Maria SA were selected after a rigorous national process involving a project submission, a written exam and an interview. More than 1,500 high-achieving students apply each year, with only around 300 scholarships awarded.

For the three Putney students, the recognition marks both the culmination of months of work and the beginning of a new phase in their engineering journeys. Each scholarship provides funding, mentoring from industry professionals and access to specialist events designed to nurture the next generation of innovators.

Audrey secured her scholarship with a project rooted in her own sporting life: a device that attaches to rowing boats to test water quality while simultaneously tracking training data. “As a rower myself, I was inspired to create this project as I see firsthand how polluted the Thames can be,” she said. “The Arkwright application gave me the chance to research and create a project using 3D modelling. I am excited to receive mentorship which will enable me to bring my design to life.”

Freya’s project looked to the future of London’s flood defences. Using code and 3D modelling, she designed improvements to the Thames Barrier aimed at making it more sustainable in the decades ahead. “Ever since I was little, I wanted to ‘save the environment’ so I was always searching for career opportunities that would really make a difference,” she said. “Engineering is a way to directly address problems and make a real difference. I found out I got the scholarship in biology class. Everyone was hugging me. It was great.”

Maria focused her attention on safety and sustainability in the outdoors, designing a parabolic solar power concentrator that allows hikers to recharge devices while on the move. “Receiving the Arkwright Scholarship is one of my proudest achievements,” she said. “I have ambition to innovate and design for the future. At Putney, I have been constantly challenged to think creatively in lessons such as design thinking, design technology and art and design.”

Putney High School has long championed what it calls “modern scholarship”, encouraging students to think independently, solve real-world problems and apply creativity across disciplines. The school’s ethos aims to develop resilient, original thinkers who go on to shape fields as varied as fashion, fintech and Formula 1.

Francesca David, Head of Creative Visual Arts and Technologies, said the three scholars were continuing a strong Putney tradition. “Audrey, Freya and Maria join a long tradition of Putney Arkwright Engineering Scholars,” she said. “In successfully obtaining these scholarships, they have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to engineering a better future. As emerging innovators, I look forward to supporting them as they continue to create real-world solutions and lead the way in their chosen fields.”