The Oliver Wyman Varsity 100 is published once a year at Cambridge University and it contains pictures and details of the 100 most influential students in the university. Candidates are proposed by fellow students and then a board consisting of a consultant, a journalist and an author amongst others select the best 100. It includes all different kinds of influential students, such as, sports stars, politians, actors, charity workers, entrepreneurs etc.

Former Brentwood School pupils Alex O'Connell and Ella Belsham both made the list for excelling in their chosen fields. Alex, for his dedication and success in Fencing and Ella, for her work with Cambridge University's CUR1350 radio station. Students in this top 100 are heralded for making the most of their time at Cambridge, for the impact they have on the university and for their future potential.

Brentwood School are delighted that out of the Top 100 Cambridge students this year two are ex Brentwood School pupils. Here is what the Oliver Wyman Top 100 Varsity 2008 guide had to say about each:

Alex O'Connell
Alex is captain of the Cambridge Fencing team and a future superstar on the world circuit. In his preferred discipline of sabre three years ago he was Under 17 World Champion, as well as the current British Champion for his age group and, most impressively of all, number one ranked Under 20 in the world. He has already been capped for the Senior England and Great Britain squads, and a glittering future surely lies ahead of him.

Ella Belsham
Ella is programme controller for CUR1350, which this year scooped that gold award for the best station at the National Student Radio Awards. She has presided over a station that sued to be dead air for most of every day having almost an entirely full daytime and evening programme, and has trained many presenters herself. Her own show Morning Glory, was itself nominated in the entertainment category and Ella has already presented professionally with Star Radio, intending to do so full time when she graduates.

Oliver Wyman Top 100 Varsity 2008