O.L.S.P. pupil’s First Class Oxford return

Published 7 Sep 2010 10:00

A FORMER Dumbarton school pupil has achieved an incredible double First Class honours degree from Oxford, sitting him at the top of UK’s intelligence league.

Modest John Philo - who attended Our Lady and St Patrick’s (OLSP) High and studied English Literature and Classics at university - returned there last week to speak to pupils.

The 21-year-old told how tackling Latin and Greek at such a high level was no easy feat, as he was four years behind in his studies compared to his some fellow students when he arrived as a fresher.

Ninety per cent of John’s fellow students were pupils from English public and private schools who had studied classics at school for six years.

But his example was proof that it was no barrier to success and despite only having two years of Greek and Latin classes at OLSP, the down-to-earth student made up the ground impressively.

John said: “From the first year you arrive there you are playing catch up - state schools are at a disadvantage.

“The public school pupils had been doing it for six years before.”

OLSP is one of the few schools in Scotland which still offers Latin and Greek.

John, who achieved six Highers and three Advanced Highers, all A grades, spoke to the Reporter while visiting his old school on Friday.

He said: “I looked at places that offered Classics and English and I heard Oxford had a good reputation for both.

“You see people in the public eye that you respect who went there like Michael Palin.”

Explaining why he chose to study both subjects he said: “I couldn’t choose between the subjects because I really liked them both.”

John admits he was a little apprehensive when he first started Oriel College, which is a branch of Oxford University, because of the institution’s reputation.

He added: “The university is divided into all these colleges which means you have a nice wee cosy place where everyone knows everyone - I suppose that can be good and bad.

“I was afraid when I was there about the reputation for snobbery and elitism - there is definitely truth in that.

“I think the mixture of people was fantastic though - I never felt different.

“The way you are greeted by people around you is not by your background - you are all in the halls together and all you’ve got to go by is what you produce in your work.

“I spent about seven hours in the library a day - you have students doing all-nighters, I think that’s stupid.”

John will stay in Oxford and now go onto study the work of Shakespeare during his scholarship at Sommerville College.

He encourages any pupils who are wary about continuing their Classical studies at an advanced level to go for it.

He added: “It is the mixture of culture, history and language that makes it so fun.

“In England you can’t find classics in state schools - it is a thoroughly good opportunity, so few pupils in state schools have the opportunity to do this.”

Charles Rooney, OLSP head teacher, is proud of John’s achievements and congratulated him on his success.

He said: “He is a very talented student and had an absolutely exceptional set of Highers.

“Clearly its a measure of not only his ability but his commitment to his studies. I would like to think John’s success does reflect well on the school, the way he speaks so fondly of the school and his teachers is important.”

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 07 Sep 10

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