PETER Symonds College students have received boosts to their plans for a gap year before university. Twenty-nine students have received bursaries to help towards their plans for the year off.

Most will work on environmental, conservation and educational projects in developing countries with organisations like Raleigh International and Teaching & Projects Abroad.The Athinoula Trust an educational charity set up in 1998 gave awards to Paul Hewett, Jenny Phillips, Nick Brook, Peter-Sam Hill, Chloe Simonson, George Swithinbank and Joshua Wallace. The Mercers' Company, which has links with the college through its founder Peter Symonds, presented bursaries to 19 students.

They were: Imogen Marcus, Laura Anscombe, Rosalind Wallis, Kate Stainforth, Louise Ireland, Hannah Jones, William North, Catriona Hendry, Ella Clark, Rachel Welland, Sian Fletcher Rees, Zillah Fellowes, Emma Stephens, Rob Martin, Rebecca Vassie, Rosanna Bartel. Chairman's Discretionary Fund Awards were presented to Tom O'Grady, Graham McIlroy, Benjamin Hartley. There were three bursaries from funds established in memory of students. The Mark Cheesebrough Award was given to Bradley Hough. The Claire Manning Bursary was awarded to Vicky Warner. The Simon Clarkson Award was presented to Rachelle Carrson. Richard Osmond, chairman of governors, presented the awards. He said: "You all have undertaken very purposeful objectives in deprived parts of the world and will come home with wonderful experiences fromyour gap year, as well as having made a worthwhile impression where you have been.

"Future employers will look with interest at how you have managed your time. Please do keep in touch with the college and your sponsors as we all like to hear what you are doing and how things are going for you."