‘I’ve always been science-orientated and really into biology and chemistry – less so physics. My dad is an engineer and my brothers are a physicist and an engineer – I suppose that makes me the black sheep of the family!

My school sixth-form was OK, but the facilities at the UTC were much better than I had access to at college. I decided to go to the UTC with a friend, and my little brother’s also decided to go, too.’

At the UTC, Daniel completed a month’s work experience with one of the school’s partners, Croda, a world leader in natural based specialty chemicals. He also worked with school partner Farm Urban as part of the UTC’s enrichment programme, where he helped design the alpha-helix sculpture which sits in the UTC lobby. Daniel has kept in touch with Farm Urban after leaving the UTC and comes back when he can to continue his work with them.

‘I spent the month at Croda in Widnes, doing microbiology, which was useful as I learned that I didn’t want to do that as a career!’ he laughs.

Three years ago, Daniel left the UTC to study biochemistry at the University of York. He credits the support of the team at the UTC in supporting his university application process.

‘I ended up going to the University of York, which at the time of applying was in the top five in the country in my field of interest, biochemistry. I’ve just finished my three-year degree there. I just got my finalised results this morning – a first!’

In addition to helping secure his place at university in the application process, Daniel felt the learning environment was key to preparing him for his time at York.

‘My practical skills were better as a result of going to the UTC and that gave me a leg-up and improved my confidence when going to university, especially when doing physical lab work.

‘A lot of the work we did in the labs went above and beyond the curriculum and allowed me to indulge my interest in learning outside of that.’

Daniel is moving to London this September to begin a four-year PhD at the Francis Crick Institute.