Schoolboy Ryan Swan has distinguished himself as a world class student after coming top of the class in an Oxbridge summer school for high-fliers.

The 15-year-old Warwick Academy pupil received straight As in Medical Science and Maths, his two chosen subjects, as well as taking the title in the tennis competition.

He was put forward by his school to attend the Oxbridge Academic course, which runs summer schools for the world's brightest children at Cambridge, Harvard, Paris and Oxford universities.

Warwick was automatically given a place after one of its students last year, Jay Butler, proved a great success on the Oxford course.

And now, after producing two successful candidates for the overseas summer school, Warwick Academy headteacher Robert Lennox has been asked to recommend for selection as many students as he feels deserve to attend next year.

He believes that could be as many as ten students from his school.

All of Ryan's main tutors were drawn from the leading universities, and there were also guest lecturers, including Auschwitz survivor Dr. Jozef Garlinski.

In a report sent back to Ryan's Bermuda school, his tutors described him as "a wonderful student, who was attentive and interested throughout.

"His pleasant manner and positive, mature approach enhanced the atmosphere of the classes. He is a pleasure to teach. Excellent participation and final presentations''.

However, at only 14, Ryan, of Port Royal Gardens, Southampton, was one of the youngest students on the course, which comprised boys and girls up to the age of 16 from all over the world, including Japan, the US and Canada. Mr. Lennox said: "The best thing by far about these programmes is that the individual youngster has an experience he will never forget.

"It is a rarified, highly competitive atmosphere. These youngsters meet like-minds and establish world-wide friendships.

"They also realise that they can compete with the best in the world. The whole Island should take great heart from the fact that, for each of the last two years, black, Bermudian males have achieved at this level.

"It is like being a medal-winner at the Olympic Games.'' Ryan, who hopes to go into medicine when he finishes university, said, despite the course eating into his summer vacation, it was a fantastic experience.

He said: "It was quite hard work. I studied medicine for three hours, six mornings a week, and then did maths in the afternoon, so I learned a whole lot.

"But there were so many different people from lots of varied cultures, it was really interesting and good fun. We also got to experience campus life, which I enjoyed.

"Besides the school work, there were lots of activities and trips for us to attend. I had never been to England before and it's a nice place - although the climate is not that nice - I didn't see much sun.'' Ryan hopes his three-week experience in July of this year will stay with him for some time. He said he formed a number of new friendships and has continued to stay in touch with them overseas since.

He added: "I would recommend it to anyone. I certainly feel honoured to have done it.''