ACADEMIC

James’ award puts him ‘on Top of the World’

Tonbridge boys selected for Cambridge masterclass

Two Tonbridge Lower Sixth boys were awarded places on a prestigious science summer school run by the University of Cambridge.

Zac Nwogwugwu (HS4) and Kenneth Lee (MH4), pictured, took part in the Senior Physics Challenge, a highly selective three-day programme which sees Year 12 pupils from across the country competing for just 50 available places.

To be selected, students must complete a series of Physics problems on the ‘Isaac Physics’ platform, which are often well beyond the A-level syllabus in terms of difficulty. Students are invited to attend based on their problem-solving ability and also on their commitment to the subject.

The event is normally held as a residential course over three days at the University of Cambridge, but due to the pandemic it has currently moved online.

James Craggs (PS5) has gained the highest mark in the world in his AS Level Geography exam. In recognition of his impressive feat, James has received an Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award.

This accolade is made by examining board Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) to those students who achieve the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject.

James, pictured with the Headmaster, took his AS Level Geography exam in November 2020, with Cambridge Assessment International Education telling him: “This award recognises your exceptional performance, talent and hard work.”

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates the success of those taking Cambridge examinations in more than 40 countries around the world.

Chris Powell, Head of Physics, said: “Zac and Kenneth did extremely well in completing a high number of challenging Physics problems, and I offer my congratulations to them on their excellent achievement.”

Ben Adams (OH1) and Jonas Freeman (MH4) became, respectively, the South East winner and a commended translator in the Anthea Bell Translation Competition, which was organised by Oxford University.

Upper Sixth take up places at top universities worldwide

Boys at Tonbridge have once again had a highly successful summer of outcomes for their university destinations, which include the top universities in the UK and around the world. A total of 22 boys will take up places at Oxford and Cambridge; 29 have gained places at Durham; 25 at the top four London universities, and Exeter will see 17 boys attending.

Other high-tariff universities that boys will attend include Edinburgh, Warwick , St Andrews, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. Boys have done well internationally, too, with places won at Cornell, Boulder, Marshall (with a sought-after football scholarship) and the University of North Carolina in the US; the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, Canada; and top universities in Hong Kong

* Tonbridge’s Upper Sixth cohort achieved outstanding A-level and Pre-U results, with more than 87 per cent of all grades awarded at A*/A, or their equivalent at Pre-U.

Scanning Electron Microscope opens up world of discovery

l Our Leavers’ Service for boys and parents took place in late May, on the Friday at the start of Half Term. This is always a lovely occasion: parents, staff and boys are pictured at the Reception in the School Gardens.

Boys have been carrying out advanced scientific investigations thanks to the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Most commonly found in leading universities, research organisations and high-tech companies, this type of microscope allows users to see extremely small objects, such as the surfaces of cells and organisms, in incredibly fine detail.

The instrument was loaned to the School by manufacturers Hitachi, before being returned to its UK base in London’s Natural History Museum.

It has enabled students to embark on advanced, independent research across all three of the sciences taught at Tonbridge.

Items viewed have ranged from a 2,000-year-old Roman coin to a single plankton from the Indian Ocean, and a mealworm, pictured. The microscope has also been used to study crystal growth and structure.