I chose to join Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (TWGSB) in 2017 after really connecting with the environment on my open day, and since then my positive impression of the school has never changed. I continued into my A-levels at sixth form and graduated in 2024.

I am now incredibly excited to share that, next August, I will be joining the Atlassian Williams F1 Team as an Aerodynamic Development Industrial Placement Student! During my placement, I will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers and contribute to the aerodynamic design of a Formula 1 car, gaining experience in areas such as CAD, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the team's cutting-edge wind tunnel facilities!

Having always been fascinated by competitive sport and travel, I knew I wanted to work in an environment where the conventional working rules don’t apply, however I didn’t know which industry this would be in.

When I look back on my time at TWGSB, I am reminded of so many fond memories. The first point that comes to mind is that same thing which first attracted me: the school environment. I was able to explore many of my different interests through the academic subjects provided at A-level and GCSEs. For example, at GCSE, I had the rare opportunity to study Geology, which allowed me to explore my natural history interests outside of the more traditional sciences and helped me think carefully about the direction I wanted to take in the future.

I eventually chose Mathematics, Physics and Economics for my A-levels, which provided a really strong foundation for studying aerospace engineering at the University of Southampton.

One important part of my journey to where I am now was also the support I received from my A-level Physics teacher, Mrs Jones. Having previously worked at Williams F1 and Red Bull Racing herself, she was in a fantastic position to offer advice and insight into the industry and I was hooked. She was always incredibly supportive and willing to help me develop myself, sharing her own experience and offering guidance on how I could work towards my goals. Having someone who had followed a similar pathway was hugely valuable and helped make what initially seemed like quite an ambitious career aspiration feel achievable.

Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I have taken from my time at TWGSB is the importance of exploring your different interests, making the most of every extra-curricular opportunity available and not being afraid to aim high. My advice to current students would be to stay curious, take advantage of the experiences and choices offered at TWGSB, and never feel that you need to have your entire career mapped out from the beginning. Sometimes, the most unexpected interests and conversations can help shape your future!

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Lucas Wood