Students get their just rewards with an outstanding set of A Level results

Each year that we report on the A Level successes of our students, we reflect on how proud we are of the commitment and focus that they have shown over the two years of their studies.

This year, that message has a very particular significance given the resilience that they have all demonstrated in the face of 18 months of disruption to their learning, as well as uncertainty around the A Level examination process. The outstanding results that they have achieved therefore deserve the highest praise. While our congratulations are rightly extended to each and every one of them, there are a number of students that merit special mention.

Particular honours go to Jiajun Fang, Sean Graham, Panu Hietanen, Lara Hood, Ed Knight, Grace Neil, Shivani Rajasingham, Ricky Rim and Ben Short who achieved an incredible 4 A*s. They are closely followed by Daisy Bainbridge, Penny Cairney-Leeming, Olivia Casci, James Dick, Flora Gilmour, Katie Hackworth, Emilia Hazel, Clara Hinde, Elsie Johnston, Gabriella Linney, Ben Little, Katya Malygina, Louisa Marshall, Zoe Mason, Jonathan Moeller-Schwartz, Madhav Narasimhan, Theo Piche-Hainsworth, Sofie Procter, Yann Rice-Oxley, Tom Romberg, Oliver Sandry-Butler, Calla Spires, Annabell Theron and Finlay Worsley with an outstanding 3 A*s each.

Katie Hackworth will now take up her place to read Philosophy at Newnham College, Cambridge, alongside Ben Little who goes on to read Law at Homerton. Taking up places at Oxford University are Sean Graham (Chemical Engineering at New College), Panu Hietanen (Mechanical Engineering at University College), Hannah Orrell (PPE at St Peter’s), and Sofie Procter (Experimental Psychology at New College).

We are also delighted that despite increased competition and a reduced number of students shortlisted for interview this year, our strong tradition of successful Medical School applicants has continued. Congratulations go to Rosie Callen (Manchester), Isla Flett (Bristol), Alex Gavrilescu (Liverpool), Sophie Merriman (Leeds) and Sam Parker (Newcastle). Not only have they excelled academically, but they have also demonstrated a huge personal commitment in gaining crucial relevant work experience in order to become that next generation of medicine professionals who deserve our unstinting praise and appreciation, particularly in such challenging conditions. 

Looking further afield, congratulations also go to Eddie Hunt who has been awarded a prestigious swimming scholarship to study International Studies in the US at Fairfield University, Connecticut. Eddie joins the ranks of Sophie Fussell (UCLA), Lily Abbott (Duke) and Hannah Medcalf (University of Texas) who achieved rowing scholarships last year. As US applications become ever more popular and competitive, this is a fantastic outcome that has involved additional preparation and assessments. Eddie, who was selected on the basis of his Individual Medley (IM) performance and butterfly ability, is excited to join the US university sporting league, where university sport is taken to a whole new level compared to the UK.  

Perhaps most important of all is the fact that the vast majority of our students are going on to study the subjects that most interest and inspire them, at their first-choice university. That is a most fitting testament to their hard work, and richly deserved.

KGS Head Master Stephen Lehec commented, “The individual exam successes, gained in the most trying of circumstances, of this wonderful group of students is testament to their dedication and focus. Having achieved excellent academic results after 18 months of so much upheaval and uncertainty is particularly impressive and I am delighted for them all. What’s more, they should all be proud of the contribution they have made to the life of Kingston Grammar School and the wider community. I look forward to watching them step out into the world to take the next step in their education, and indeed welcoming them back to us as Old Kingstonians soon.”