Shrewsbury for life - Discover Lenka's story

Lenka Hozzova moved from Aylsham High School in Norfolk after impressive entrance exam results and a glowing school reference firmly secured her place at Shrewsbury School.

She joined Shrewsbury in 2019 as a Lower Sixth Form Academic Scholarship. In 2021 she received an offer from Oxford University, where she went on to study Earth Science.

We spoke to Lenka following her offer from Oxford.

Lenka chooses Shrewsbury

My school used to do a scholarship programme and every year a couple of people went to go on to get scholarships at various independent schools. The programme always appealed to me, I’d always wanted to go to boarding school and experience it. I had a look around and saw Shrewsbury and I thought, ‘that looks really good’ and I really want to go there.

Shrewsbury was my first choice and I was so pleased I joined.

Shrewsbury supports Lenka through Oxford application

I’d never really considered applying for Oxford until I came to Shrewsbury School.

When I started at Shrewsbury, I thought I’d make the most of the opportunity and I’d throw myself into as many things as I could.

It was a shock going from GCSE to A level in terms of the academic work,  but everyone was so supportive – the teachers are really great, and if you are stuck on anything they’re very approachable and I always felt I could go and speak to them.

I’d say especially coming from my old school, it was a big difference in terms of the workload but also the support you get. The teaching style is more individual and I find it suits me better, particularly during my A Level years when I really need my studies to be focussed on.

I feel like the support from the teachers and people here has let me explore what I want to do and who I want to become. My academic life has been so important, and alongside the curricular activities I have really developed my skills, studies and confidence.

The teachers persuaded me apply for Oxford so I decided to go for it. I gave it a go and I was successful and I am really happy.

Making the most of co-curricular activities

I’ve always liked doing extra-curricular activities and I was looking for a school that did it well but I also wanted to focus on the academic side of things, and Shrewsbury encompassed all of it.

Cadets was a big part of my time here - I was originally in another squadron and when I moved I joined the unit here, everyone was really welcoming and made it very easy to join in and I really enjoyed it.  My second weekend here I got to go gliding which was amazing, a really good experience.

I’ve done MUN which again is a really good experience, we never really got the chance to do that sort of thing at my old school. I thought I’d give it a go, I was very quiet to start with, then overtime you get used to it and get to know everyone and it’s really developed my public speaking and my confidence.

I’m also part of the Economics Society and helped to put the annual Economist Magazine together, which I wrote articles and edited articles for, which was interesting.

Shrewsbury was the right choice

I have really enjoyed my time at Shrewsbury; I can’t image what would have happened if I didn’t join. I wouldn’t change anything about my time here.

Overall as a school it is great because it’s academic, which I needed to get into Oxford, and it’s also really fun. Everyone is welcoming and supportive. I’ve loved being at Shrewsbury.