A national water polo star who hails from Newton Aycliffe will be among the hundreds of teenagers returning to Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE) in Darlington this morning for results day.

18-year-old Ben Alderson, who is on Great Britain’s U19 men’s water polo squad having previously competed for England at Junior U17 level, has already been awarded a water polo scholarship at Durham University, where he intends to take a BA in History.

As thousands of students across the wider region open their A Level results envelopes, Ben, will find out his grades in A Level History and Law, as well as a Level 3 diploma in Sport and Leisure.

“After two years of juggling college work with my water polo, I’m excited to be collecting my results and celebrating with friends!” he said. 

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The Northern Echo: Water polo star Ben Alderson will return to QE in Darlington this morning to collect his A Level results.Water polo star Ben Alderson will return to QE in Darlington this morning to collect his A Level results. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

“It’s thanks to the teachers at QE that I was able to balance my studies with training and coaching – they have always been so understanding of my sporting commitments and done all they can to support my learning.”

Ben started playing for Sedgefield Water Polo Club at the age of seven and now trains for up to 18 hours per week in both the pool and at the gym.  He's next due to compete in an international tournament in Barcelona next month, meaning preparations are well underway to reach his top form.

While studying at QE, Ben twice competed for the England U17 squad and took a two-year Diploma in Sporting Excellence through British Swimming, which was worth 64 UCAS points.

He also completed a Level One Coaching Course in 2021 and has recently completed his Level Two qualification.

The talented teenager -who is a volunteer coach for Sedgefield Water Polo Club - is also an assistant coach on the North East Boys U15 Academy and has coached England U15 boys at their National Academy.

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Ben has applied to study History at Durham – ranked the fourth best UK university for the subject in the 2024 Complete University Guide – and has already secured a water polo scholarship, allowing him to train with one of the strongest university water polo teams in the country.

QE Principal Tim Fisher said: “Today is a huge day for almost one thousand second-year QE students collecting their results. Ben should feel very proud of his hard work and dedication while balancing his studies with his impressive sporting achievements.

“We wish all of our students every success for the future.”