Our Year 11 pupils have much to celebrate following an exceptional set of GCSE results, with outstanding achievements across a wide range of subjects. Here, we shine a spotlight on some of their individual successes:
A Remarkable 27 Grade 9s Between Them
Artemis and Oliver achieved an extraordinary 27 Grade 9s between them, in what are probably the best results in the UK. Both joined Brighton College in Year 7 and have made an enormous contribution to College life alongside their academic achievements.
Artemis achieved 14 Grade 9s, as well as an HPQ, the highest number of Grade 9s achieved by any Brighton College pupil this year. An exceptional musician who appeared in the College’s National School Theatre Awards-nominated production of Hadestown, Artemis is also a key member of the school orchestra, the National Youth Choir and the Brighton & East Sussex Youth Orchestra.
Oliver achieved 13 grade 9s, while also being a member of the Brighton College dance team that became All England National Dance Champions just two weeks before results day.
The Boy Who Struck Gold
Harrison is also celebrating nine grade 9s and two grade 8s - results that would make for an exceptional year on their own. But his accomplishments extend far beyond the classroom.
Building on his National School Theatre Awards-nominated performance in the title role of Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Senior School Edition last year, Harrison recently excelled at the British School Team Championships, helping his U18 Mixed/Men’s Épée team claim the national gold.
To combine such outstanding academic achievement with success in both the performing arts and elite-level sport is testament to his talent, dedication and versatility.
From Ukraine to Brighton
Also celebrating today are Vova and Lev, two Ukrainian scholars who were offered free places at Brighton College after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Vova came to Brighton from Kharkiv speaking little English. His family was the first to arrive through the Ukrainian scholarship programme that would go on to see Brighton College offer 22 scholarships to Ukrainian children.
One of five siblings, Vova arrived with his older brother, Rosti, while his younger twin brothers subsequently joined Brighton College Prep Hove. Despite being only 12, Vova and Rosti immediately made CVs and approached local businesses looking for work to help support their family. Both found jobs at a local swimming centre, where Vova swept floors and cleaned changing rooms while also helping to care for his younger brothers and get them to and from school.
Today, he is celebrating two grade 9s, two grade 8s and a grade 7 – an extraordinary testament to how far he has come. He has also discovered a passion for rugby and become a key member of the Brighton College Rugby Club.
Lev, meanwhile, left Kyiv aged 12 and travelled to join his older sister before coming to Brighton. He is today celebrating two grade 9s, three grade 8s and two grade 7s.
A gifted artist, Lev won the College’s Leonardo creative competition with a striking work bringing together the Cairns Tower at Brighton College and a church in Kyiv – two places representing security and sanctuary. He has also won the College Christmas card competition and played an active role in a Ukrainian art exhibition at the College.
