News

16 August 2018

John Lyon A-Level results confirm entry to Oxford, Cambridge, London and other leading universities

The strength of a broad, rounded education has once again been reflected in John Lyon A-Level results and university entry success.

With one third of all their exams graded either A* or A on Thursday 16th August, John Lyon’s newest set of former pupils will soon head to universities across the country, from Durham to Exeter, to read subjects including law, medicine, economics, engineering, history, geography, politics, classics and modern languages.

Of the 2018 Upper Sixth cohort of 74 students, one-in-six achieved all A* / A grades, 15 boys received at least one A* and 21 boys can boast at least two A* / A grades.

Recognised as two of the very best universities in the world, both Oxford and Cambridge will welcome John Lyon A-Level students, with Owen Marshall (A* A A) reading History at Oxford and Olamide Mabifa (A* A* A) reading Human, Social and Political Sciences at Robinson College, Cambridge.

As ever, entry to institutions in the University of London is high for John Lyon A-Level students, with places guaranteed at LSE, UCL, St George’s and Royal Holloway. Ram Parekh (A* A* A) will study Chemistry at Imperial, Mann Mittal (A A A) will study on the prestigious Medicine course at St George’s and Ismail Bennani (A* A A B) who competed four full A-Levels will study Civil Engineering at UCL.

And other leading Russell Group universities around the country will enrol John Lyon boys, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Imperial College London, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton and Warwick. Head Boy Thomas Salter (A* A A) will read English at Durham University.

Other students will take up courses at other leading universities such as Loughborough and Bath, move on to performing arts institutes, take gap years before embarking on the next stages of their lives, go into part-time study alongside the workplace, or move straight into post-school employment.

Lower Sixth student Dhiren Harji achieved his A* in Mathematics a year early and will now complete a further three A-Levels in his Upper Sixth year, a reflection of his skill and dedication and the School’s commitment to continue to offer four A-Levels to pupils who wish to study them.

While A-Level results and university entrance success remain a tangible annual reminder of the strength and focus of John Lyon’s academic offer, it can often hide other skills and achievements gained over years of schooling. While achieving Oxbridge exam success Owen Marshall was also captaining the 1st XI Cricket team, while Lami Mabifa was starring in Athletics and captaining Norwood to School House glory. Tom Salter achieved his grades for Durham while also being a firm fixture in both the 1st X1 Football team and in a number of School Drama productions.

And it is this breadth of success and talent which particularly pleases John Lyon Head, Katherine Haynes. She said: “Seeing excellent A-level results on paper is always pleasing and is a reflection of the skill and hard work of our students and teachers alike. These results are important in unlocking the next exciting phases of our pupils’ lives.

“But it is more pleasing to know that John Lyon boys will now head off around the country to continue their education with a great depth of skills and experience in other areas of life, whether that be on the sports field, in the music hall, on the stage or in volunteering and community work.

“I am always delighted to hear from former pupils who have gone on to achieve great things and who are happy in their chosen paths, and I have no doubt I will hear from the Class of 2018 in years to come with more stories of great personal and professional success.”


John Lyon is an independent school, a member of HMCISC and is reviewed in the Good Schools Guide.

Pupils typically join John Lyon in Years 7, 9 and 12, largely from a North West London catchment area including Harrow, Wembley, Stanmore, Pinner, Watford, Rickmansworth, Northwood, Ruislip, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Southall, Ealing, Acton, Edgware, Brent Cross, Finchley, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as other parts of Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

See forthcoming open events, concerts and exhibitions on our What’s On page.