Oxford place caps years of sacrifice for Darlington student

Oxford place caps years of sacrifice for Darlington student

TWO years of 5am starts and long commutes have paid off for Oxford-bound student Annabel Cochrane.

The teenager, whose full-time working parents drove the hour-and-a-half return journey from Darlington to Ripon every morning and evening to get her to and from school, is relieved her family’s sacrifice has been worth it.

The 18-year-olf achieved a clean sweep of A*s in English literature, history and German plus an A* in her extended project qualification (EPQ).

She will now study English and German at Merton College and said her dedicated parents’ commitment to the demanding 35-miles-each-way commute to and from Ripon Grammar School’s sixth form inspired her to make the most of every opportunity.

“I am just overwhelmed and delighted all the hard work has paid off. I have never worked so hard for anything.

“Knowing how much effort it took for my family to send me to RGS motivated me to work as hard as I could and get the most out of every experience,” she said.

“Mum and Dad thought it would be the best thing for me, and it is really great for them both now to know that it was definitely worth it. It was a good decision.”

Annabel said: “Juggling everything has been tough but really rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful to RGS for supporting me throughout such a busy two years.”

Her school day began at 5am so she could fit in a run or cycle ride before leaving home at 6.30am and she would not return home, following her after-school activities, until after 6pm.

With both parents working full-time as secondary school teachers, one drove her to Ripon before turning round to return to Darlington for work, while the other collected her after school before making the journey home.

The aspiring journalist passed her driving test, at last, this summer after fitting lessons around her demanding schedule.

Alongside her A-levels, Annabel edited the school’s award-winning student magazine, The Clocktower, winning the national Terry Mansfield CBE Award for Tomorrow’s Talent and a journalism internship with Hearst UK.

She also co-chaired the debating society, spent six years as principal clarinettist with Tees Valley Youth Orchestra, took part in school music and drama, tutored GCSE English and worked weekends in a local Italian restaurant.

Now she is looking forward to beginning the next chapter of her education at Oxford, with the early mornings, long journeys and years of family sacrifice having proved worthwhile.