News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

Talented young physicist, Bella Harris-Johnson, of Stonar School in Atworth, Wiltshire, was placed in the top seven of young physicists in the UK in the Royal Society’s Physics Olympiad this year.

5,000 GCSE students from across the UK take part in the Physics Olympiad, which is a challenge based on real-life problem solving.

Four Stonar pupils sat the paper and achieved a Gold Award in the challenge, already a fantastic achievement, and congratulations go to Hannah, Hermione and Genevieve. As one of the top seven achievers in the challenge nationally, Bella was invited to The Royal Society for a special presentation afternoon. 

The special guest for the evening was Professor John Zarnecki, from The Open University and President of the Royal Astronomical Society. His speech was about his 35 year career in Space Research, being involved with launching sound rockets into the Earth’s orbit and missions of exploration to Halleys Comet. Bella was presented with a certificate and book by Professor John Zarnecki.

Dr Sally Divall, Head of Stonar said, “This is an outstanding achievement and we are all very proud of Bella.”