A RIPON student has won a prestigious prize after impressing the judges and being the runner-up in a national annual competition.

Anastasia Bell won the University of Oxford language skills prize for the advanced linguistic skills she displayed with her description of a mythical creature.

The 14-year-old competed against 178 entries in her age group from school all over the UK in the competition for learners of German.

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Anastasia was awarded the prize at a virtual University of Oxford ceremony, where judges revealed they were very impressed by her entry.

The award is designed to challenge students of all levels to get creative with their German language skills and expand their knowledge of the culture.

Anastasia said: "I entered because it looked like fun, something to do outside school which would support my learning.

“The idea came from stories I read online about the German ‘Wolpertinger’, a funny looking creature. I had a vague picture of it in my head and knew it would be made up of parts from various animals. I pictured it as quite majestic.”

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She plans to study ancient history, philosophy or politics at university.

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