A Bedford Modern School student has been named the best Spanish student in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, in a remarkable achievement that comes as he prepares to take up a place at the University of Cambridge.
Aleksi, who will begin studying Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge this autumn, has been awarded the XIII Premio al Mejor Estudiante de Español 2026 (13th Award for the Best Student of Spanish 2026), a prestigious national competition organised by the Consejería de Educación, the Education Office of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Selected from entries submitted by schools across the UK and Northern Ireland, Aleksi was judged to be the country’s most outstanding student of Spanish.
To mark the achievement, Fernando Bartolomé Usieto, Consejero de Educación in the United Kingdom and Ireland, visited Bedford Modern School to present Aleksi with his certificate and prize in person.
As part of the award, Aleksi has earned a stay in the historic Spanish city of Salamanca, renowned for its architecture, cultural heritage and world-famous university, the oldest university in the Hispanic world and one of the oldest in Europe.
Bedford Modern School, which has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and helping students fulfil their potential, described the award as an exceptional achievement for both Aleksi and the Modern Languages department.
Commenting on the award, Bedford Modern School said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Aleksi has received this recognition. To be named the best student of Spanish in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to his talent, dedication and commitment to language learning.
“Aleksi embodies the academic ambition, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning that we seek to foster in all our students. We are immensely proud of everything he has achieved and look forward to seeing him continue his success at the University of Cambridge.”
The success is particularly significant as this is the first time Bedford Modern School has entered a student for the competition.
The award also reflects the strength of the School’s Modern Languages provision, which encourages students not only to achieve academic excellence but also to develop a genuine understanding of and appreciation for other cultures and communities.
Pictured, Mr Harvey Hewlett, Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Fernando Bartolomé Usieto, Aleksi with Ms Silvia Sobrado, Head of Spanish following the presentation of his national award.
As Aleksi prepares for Cambridge, this latest success provides fitting recognition of his talent as a linguist and marks an exceptional conclusion to his time at Bedford Modern School.
Congratulations, Aleksi, on a truly outstanding achievement!
