Eastbourne College pupils recognised for excellence in arts and engineering

Eastbourne College is proud to celebrate national recognition for two current pupils, reflecting the school’s strength across both creative and technical disciplines.

Mia Liu, a Year 12 pupil, has been awarded Highly Commended in the Royal Ballet and Opera Design Challenge 2025–26 for her costume design for Fasolt from Wagner’s Das Rheingold. The competition, run by the Royal Ballet and Opera Schools, challenges young designers to respond to professional-level briefs and is judged by industry specialists.

Mia’s design stood out for its creativity, attention to detail and confident interpretation of character and narrative within opera. Her success places her work among the strongest entries nationally and underlines the depth of creative opportunity available to pupils at Eastbourne College.

Year 11 pupil Herbert Phillips has been confirmed as an Arkwright Engineering Scholar after successfully completing the highly competitive national selection process. The Arkwright Scholarship is one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for aspiring engineers, recognising academic excellence, technical ability and real commitment to the subject.


These achievements reflect Eastbourne College’s broad and ambitious approach to education, where creativity, problem-solving and intellectual curiosity are equally valued.

Headmaster Tom Lawson said: “Mia and Herbert’s achievements are a real credit to them and to the calibre of teaching at the College. We are committed to giving pupils the confidence and support to pursue their interests at a very high level, whether that is through the creative arts or engineering and science. Our Platinum Artsmark award recognises how seriously we take creativity, and Mia’s success shows just how far that can take our pupils. Herbert’s Arkwright Scholarship is just as impressive and reflects his confidence, problem-solving and genuine enthusiasm for engineering.”

Eastbourne College holds the Platinum Artsmark award, the highest level of recognition for schools demonstrating sustained excellence, creativity and leadership in arts education. Alongside strong academic pathways, the College offers extensive opportunities in art, design, performance and STEM subjects, supported by specialist teaching and strong links beyond the classroom.

April 2026