An 18-year-old Shropshire student in the final year of her A-levels is believed to be the first school-age author to have an article published in a national academic magazine.

Bowie Cheung, who is studying geography at Concord College, near Shrewsbury, has had her article, Energy security in Hong Kong, published in The Geography Review, to which A-level geography students all over the country subscribe.

Dr Rob Pugh, who has been teaching geography at the Acton Burnell college for three years, said: “It is most unusual for an A-level student to have an article accepted and published in this flagship magazine for A Level geography students.

“The articles for the magazine are mainly written by academics, experienced teachers or undergraduates so for Bowie to have one published is very unusual and a real coup.

“Before she arrived at Concord she began writing a book on climate change aimed at school children. “She is very passionate about environmental concerns and has a real flair for the subject.”

Bowie produced the article during a two week work experience placement at the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford.

She is president of the college Eco club at Acton Burnell and organises events promoting the environment. She was heavily committed to Earth Hour when 100 students attended a recent candlelit event at the college.

The teenager will also be among a party of 24 students setting off on a five-day field trip to Iceland later in the month.

The field trip, organised by Dr Pugh, will include studying glaciers and hot springs.