Top student Jamie writes new chapter

by MORT BIRCH

ENGLISH literature student Jamie Goodland has written a glowing new chapter in the history of one seat of learning.

He is the first pupil from Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College to be accepted for a place at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Staff at the school and technology college in Bedworth are celebrating what is a major break-through.

Paul Williams, deputy head of teaching and a former deputy acting head at the college in Bulkington Road, Bedworth, said: "He is the first student at the school to go to Trinity College, Cambridge, since the school opened 54 years ago.

"We are very proud of him, because Trinity is one of the most prestigious colleges at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

"From a personal point of view, I see this as a natural culmination of my time as acting head."

Jamie, who is 18, achieved A levels in English Literature, English Language, History and Philosophy, including full marks in history, and then went on to achieve full marks in his final A2 English Literature papers.

"He is naturally outstanding with a wide range of knowledge, but he is modest and well liked by his peers," said Paul Williams.

One person who was not surprised by his achievement is teacher Mary Somerville, who said: "He is the most gifted student I have taught in my 24 years in English Literature at Nicholas Chamberlaine.

She added: "Jamie has an insight into and is very sensitive about his subject and has the ability to sense the deeper meanings of what he studies."

Jamie, who is 18, went to Ansty and Shilton Infant School and then Wolvey Primary School, before going to what was Nicholas Chamberlaine School, before it was granted technology college status.

An only child, he was quick to praise his parents, Vince and Mary Goodland: "They have always supported me and encouraged me to read from when I was a child," he said.

Among the people he studied are Shakespeare, John Donne, Tennessee Wiliams and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

He wrote essays comparing the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner with Far from the Madding Crowd and also Cold Mountain by Charles Frasier.

His initial three-year course at Trinity College, Cambridge, begins towards the end of this year and he then hopes to take up a writing career: "We will have to see what transpires," he said.

Article Options	Talk about | Email to a Friend | Print this
Social Bookmarking	Digg this | del.icio.us | reddit

Back to top