Lyonians will once again be making their way around the country to the UK’s top universities after they picked up their superb A-Level results. It is encouraging to learn that whilst the national picture has seen a large decline in the proportion of higher grades awarded, John Lyon is celebrating its strongest externally marked results in five years.
The School celebrates achievements outside of lessons – the results prove that busy students are successful students. Pupils will be studying sought-after courses, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, architecture, law and politics, as well as niche options such as computer gameplay design and production, fine art and, film and television.
They will be heading to the likes of Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Imperial, London School of Economics, Queen Mary and King’s College London to name but a few. Josh Holloway achieved a straight A* A* A* A* and an additional A* in the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification).
Varun Valentine scored straight A* A* A* with an additional A* in EPQ. With his four A*s, Varun will be heading into central London to study medicine at Imperial College London. At School, he is a member of the Head Boy Team as a communication monitor. As part of this role, he has worked with the School’s marketing and communications department to produce the sixth form newsletter, a largely student-run publication. Varun is a sixth-form academic scholar and music scholar and has performed on the Boyd Campbell Hall stage on a number of occasions as both a musician and in debating. He also created and ran the junior biomedical society. Varun said: “I am speechless – it’s been a rollercoaster and I have been blessed with an amazing family, friends and teachers. The School has been extremely supportive and I am really excited for the future. The best part is that John Lyon School has helped me fulfil my dream of becoming a doctor!”
Sahit Sahni received an A* A A A and an additional A* in EPQ. He will be studying electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Manchester. Sahit recently joined John Lyon at 16+ in the Lower Sixth (Year 12) as an academic scholar and became an Excellence Monitor as part of the Head Boy Team. He also kept busy running the School’s Academic Society. Sahit said: “I am extremely thrilled with my results! It’s been a really enjoyable couple of years in the sixth form and I am very thankful to my family and teachers for all of their encouragement. If you are considering joining John Lyon at 16+ for sixth-form studies, I would certainly recommend it. The School has enabled me to achieve these terrific results.”
Rafi Smith received an A* A A and will be going on to study politics and international studies at the University of Warwick, a top-10 UK institution. Rafi is a drama scholar and, it will therefore come as no surprise, a strong actor and performer. He is part of the Head Boy Team as an events monitor and is involved with charitable initiatives. He is also a keen footballer and represented the School team. Rafi said: “I am absolutely elated! The last few days leading up to today have been stressful but when I finally opened the envelope, standing together with my mum and dad, all the pressure was alleviated. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me during my time at John Lyon!”
Rishi Patel received a straight A A A with an additional A in the EPQ and will read industrial economics at the University of Nottingham. As an event prefect, Rishi has been involved in a number of charity initiatives at the School. Rishi said: “I am overjoyed with my results and am very proud of myself for achieving them. A huge thanks must go to my teachers for helping me.”
Anish Ardhanariswara achieved A* A A with an additional A in the EPQ and will head across the capital to study dentistry at King’s College London. As well as being a sixth-form academic prefect and science prefect, Anish is an all-around sportsperson and represented the School in first-XI hockey fixtures. Anish said: “I am so relieved, having opened the envelope and seen my results. I worked consistently hard and am thankful to my teachers and my family for their tremendous support. The teachers helped me so much with interview prep and I would not be where I am now without them.”
