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A clean sweep of A* grades is a remarkable achievement, but perhaps even more remarkable is the breadth of opportunities that lie ahead for this year’s Wellingtonians.
From Mathematics, Medicine and Biochemistry at Oxford to Engineering and Law at Cambridge, Biology at Imperial, Physics at UCL and study across the Atlantic at the University of Pennsylvania, their next steps span an extraordinary range of subjects and destinations. And for others, the next chapter will take them beyond the lecture theatre altogether – from working at Wellington College International Pune to travelling through Australia, working on a polo farm in Argentina and trekking across Patagonia.
Following another outstanding set of A-level results at Wellington College, we caught up with some of the pupils who achieved a clean sweep of A* grades to hear how it felt to open their results, what comes next and to reflect on the people, experiences and opportunities that have shaped their time at Wellington.
Their reflections highlight just how much of their Wellington experience has happened beyond the classroom, from friendships and House life to inspiring teachers, music, sport and opportunities further afield.
Ricky C
Opening his results was a mixture of excitement and relief for Ricky, with A*s in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics bringing “a huge wave of satisfaction”.
Next comes Mathematics at Oxford, a prospect he “can’t wait to get started on”. He credits his maths teacher, Mr Cootes, with helping to nurture that enthusiasm.
“His enthusiasm for the subject pushed me to keep going,” Ricky said.
His standout Wellington memory was Speech Day: “Such a great way to look back on everything we’d all achieved together.”
Asked to capture Wellington in a single word, Ricky chose Opportunity.
Amalia O
For Amalia, there was one result in particular that made results day special.
“Further maths had been a real struggle for me over the past two years, so seeing an A* was an incredible relief!”
She is now preparing for a move across the Atlantic to begin the next chapter of her education at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania.
Her Wellington experience has allowed her to combine academic ambition with another of her great passions: singing.
“It was the perfect environment for me to pursue my passion for singing alongside my academic pursuits,” she said.
Her word for Wellington? Stimulating.
Tom F
After the nerves of opening his results, Tom was relieved to discover that he had secured the grades he needed to take up his place studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge.
When asked what had inspired him at Wellington, Tom pointed not to one individual but to the culture surrounding him: “The breadth of opportunities available and the willingness of the people there to help you achieve your goals, no matter how high.”
Speech Day has been a particular highlight over the years, with Tom experiencing it from several different perspectives – including performing in the orchestra and as part of the Wellingtones.
Stephanie O
Stephanie described opening her results as “very surreal”, admitting that she stared at them for a while before quite believing what she had achieved.
She will now head to the University of Oxford to study Mathematics, where she will also take up an organ scholarship – combining two passions that have been central to her Wellington experience.
“My inspiration definitely came from seeing the love and passion that Mrs Biggs had for maths,” Stephanie said. “Her endless support and care pushed me to properly consider doing maths at university and she always encouraged me to pursue my aspirations.”
Music has provided some of Stephanie’s fondest memories too. From ensembles to concerts, she has had opportunities to perform at remarkable venues and work alongside talented musicians – experiences she counts among the highlights of her time at the College.
Altin M
For Altin, opening his results brought both satisfaction and a sense that years of hard work had finally paid off.
“It definitely felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest,” he said. “My hard work had finally paid off, and seeing those results made all the studying feel worthwhile.”
Next year, Altin will study Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. Looking back, however, it is the people around him that he credits most strongly with his success.
“My friends in the Picton have both inspired and motivated me for the past four years to strive for my best even when I was feeling at my worst. I attribute much of my success today to their constant support and encouragement.”
Graduation provided a fitting conclusion to a transformative four years. “I was proud of myself for not only transforming my academic life since I first joined Wellington, but also growing as a person socially and making lifelong friends along the way.”
His one word for Wellington? Growth.
Damisola D
For Damisola, results day was characterised above all by relief.
“I was mostly relieved to get the outcome I was hoping for and glad to finally stop stressing about it. It was nice to know all the hard work had been worth it.”
She will now study Law at the University of Cambridge, building on an interest she pursued enthusiastically at Wellington as President of the Law Society.
“It was incredibly rewarding to be able to lead discussions on topics I’m passionate about and see the perspectives of other people who shared those passions.”
Her Wellington experience also encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone, including walking the runway in the Wellbeing Festival Fashion Show – “something I never expected to do but had so much fun doing”.
Her word for Wellington is Insightful.
Matthew C
Matthew described opening his results as a mixture of “happiness and massive relief” that his hard work had paid off.
Rather than heading immediately to university, he will begin a gap year with time in Australia this autumn and winter before taking up a place to study Economics at Durham University in 2027.
Like Altin, Matthew highlighted the importance of the Picton community.
“The environment created by my housemates and the staff in the Picton really helped me to make the most of my time at Wellington.”
Graduation was a fitting highlight: a chance to celebrate alongside the friends, family and teachers who had shared the journey.
His Wellington experience, he says, was Unforgettable.
Mia J
Mia was “so relieved and excited” to discover she had achieved the grades required for her university offer.
“I felt so proud that all my work was worth it. I couldn’t believe it.”
She will now study Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, taking with her the influence of the friends and people who encouraged her to make the most not only of her academics, but of everything else Wellington had to offer.
Being part of the Elizabeth boarding house community was particularly significant.
“It gave me a sense of belonging when I joined and I was able to have so much fun living with my closest friends,” she said. “Even though I am starting my next chapter, the friends I have made will last for life.”
Her word for Wellington? Enriching.
Eddie R
For Eddie, results day brought the satisfaction of knowing that all his work had paid off.
He will now head to UCL to study Physics, having drawn inspiration from the other pupils in his year throughout his time at Wellington.
Away from academics, taking part in the annual play or musical stands out as a particular highlight – one of the many opportunities that became part of the rhythm of his College life.
His one-word description of Wellington is a simple but revealing one: Busy.
Precious O
“I was honestly quite shocked when I opened my results,” Precious recalled. “Seeing that I had met my offer was such a rewarding moment and I felt relieved that all my work had paid off.”
That offer will take Precious to the University of Oxford, where she will study Medicine.
Her HM, Mrs Bidston, has been a particularly important influence, inspiring her “to always look for the positive side of things and take every opportunity that comes my way”.
One such opportunity took Precious considerably further afield. A highlight of her Wellington years was travelling along the East Coast of the United States on the College’s US universities trip, including exploring Times Square with friends.
Marcus Y
Marcus is taking an especially distinctive route after Wellington, pursuing not one but two areas of study: Biology at Imperial College London and Composition at the Royal College of Music.
It is a combination that reflects the breadth of his interests at Wellington.
“The Music School and my friends” have been particularly influential, he explained, with Dr Bloom introducing him to modern composed music and inspiring him to pursue composition further.
His memories stretch from music to the natural world. A Biology and ESS trip to Pembrokeshire – particularly a rain-soaked visit to Skomer Island to see the puffins – stands out as one of his favourite experiences.
His one-word summary of Wellington is Fleeting.
Tehya M
For Tehya, results day brought a combination of relief and gratitude.
“I was so pleased to see my hard work and all the support I had received reflected in my results.”
She is looking forward to studying Medicine at the University of Nottingham, having been inspired at Wellington by the collective support of friends, family and teachers.
Sport has also played an important role in her College experience, with being part of the College netball team providing far more than competition alone.
“I am so grateful for the friendship, balance and sense of belonging it brought to my Wellington experience,” she said.
Charlie M-H
While many of his classmates prepare for university, Charlie is taking a different route.
He will spend part of his gap year working at Wellington College International Pune, taking his Wellington experience with him to another part of the Wellington family.
Dr O’Loughlin has been a particular inspiration during his time at College, “for always making chemistry interesting and for encouraging me to look beyond the curriculum”.
His chosen highlight, meanwhile, is perhaps a reminder that not every treasured Wellington memory needs to involve victory: “The Duke’s Games Final… which I lost…”
Freya L
For Freya, seeing that she had made her offer brought enormous pride.
“It was so rewarding to know that my hard work and the support I received had paid off.”
Freya has decided to take a gap year before applying to university again with her achieved grades, giving herself time to consider the opportunities now open to her.
Her friends and the wider Anglesey community have been central to her experience, inspiring and supporting her “to aim high and keep pushing myself”.
But some of her favourite memories are also among the simplest.
“The highlight of my day was always coming back from lessons and sitting on the Anglesey sofas with my friends and the house team, where I could take a break and have a laugh.”
Charlie S
Charlie had a rather different results-day setting from most.
“I was actually sailing in the Ionian and managed to connect to Wi-Fi to open them – when I did I was very relieved. At least some of the hard work paid off!”
What comes next promises to be equally memorable. Charlie is heading to Argentina to work on a polo farm, with plans to buy a horse and trek across Patagonia as part of a gap year filled with “adventures and unknown”.
His old tutor, Mr Clarke, helped instil an enthusiasm for learning that Charlie hopes to take with him.
“He’s a huge inspiration and often reminds me about the joys of learning and researching into new ideas as well as having interesting discussions about them too!”
His word for Wellington captures the energy of his experience perfectly: Buzzing.
Keira L
Keira described the experience of opening her results in three words: “Nervous, daunted, but trying to remain hopeful.”
Rather than setting rigid expectations for what her first year after Wellington should look like, she is determined to approach it with an open mind. “The only plan is to enjoy my first year to the fullest.”
Ms Dalton’s enthusiasm for Mathematics has left a lasting impression.
“Her passion for maths was palpable and infectious. I hope that one day I can find a relationship to my own passion that might resemble something like hers.”
Yet it is everyday moments with friends that Keira expects to miss most: meals shared in the Dining Hall filled with “laughter and camaraderie”.
Her Wellington experience in one word? Eclectic.
Matt E
Matt experienced an additional dose of results-day nerves when he initially struggled to access the results portal, particularly as his Further Mathematics result was important for meeting his university offer.
“When I eventually saw it went well, I was beyond relieved.”
He will now head to Durham University to study Mathematics.
For Matt, inspiration came from the leadership of his House and the experience of helping establish a new boarding community. He praised the HM and AHM for the way they approached that challenge, alongside their matron, Becky, whom he described warmly as “the greatest surrogate mother we could have asked for!”
His Upper Sixth Speech Day stands out as a highlight: “It was such a great day, and it showcased everything that Wellington represents.”
Max S
For Max, opening his results brought the relief of knowing that “the last couple of years of work had paid off”.
His HM, Mr Bilclough, has been a particularly positive influence during his time at Wellington.
“Mr Bilclough has been inspiring as my HM by setting a great atmosphere in House and always having a chat, despite his busy schedule.”
Sport provided one of Max’s standout Wellington memories, with playing at Lee Valley twice with the hockey team among the experiences he will take away from the College.
From future doctors, engineers, mathematicians, lawyers, scientists and musicians to travellers and adventurers, the destinations of these Wellingtonians are as varied as the experiences they have enjoyed during their time at the College.
What emerges most strongly from their reflections is how often their achievements are connected to the people and experiences around them: a teacher whose enthusiasm sparked a new academic passion; a House that became a home; a team, ensemble or production that offered a sense of belonging; or friendships formed in everyday moments that will last long after results day.
We congratulate all of the pupils featured here on their exceptional achievements and wish them every success as they embark on their next chapters. Most importantly, we extend those congratulations and very best wishes to the entire year group. Whether heading to university, taking a gap year, travelling, working or pursuing new opportunities around the world, we look forward to seeing where their lives beyond Wellington take them and we look forward to staying closely in touch with them through our LBW programme, seeing them at OW events and continuing to support them along their future pathways.
