A wide and varied list of courses at the UK’s foremost universities has proven a great reward for John Lyon A-Level students, as they said their final goodbyes to the School before heading into higher education.

As results were collected on Tuesday 10th August, no fewer than 11 of 68 students were confirmed on engineering courses of various types — civil, mechanical, chemical, biomedical, motorsport and software — including four to Imperial College London, known as one of the most competitive universities at which to gain a place for engineering.

One of the four is Alpha Kolajo, who will study Mechanical Engineering at Imperial following his four A* grades. Alpha, a keen scientist and also goalkeeper for the School’s 1st XI football team, said: “I’m really happy. I was a bit nervous coming in today but I’ve done even better than I expected. A lot of hard work went into this, especially during lockdown as there was less face-to-face teaching, but all the teachers helped us a lot and I’m glad the hard work has paid off. I’m really excited to be going to Imperial.”

Alpha Kolajo

A particularly high number of applicants has meant Medicine courses have proven especially difficult to get onto this year, but at least three (and probably more to come) John Lyon students will begin their long courses, including Aryan Sutaria, whose A* A* A will see him go to University College London for the next six years. This summer, as captain, Aryan helped lead the bowling attack as the School’s 1st XI Cricket team tore through the opposition to retain the Middlesex County Cup, which he also helped win in 2019 as he was taking his GCSE exams. He also recently returned from his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gold expedition to Scotland. On his results he said. “It feels good. I’m relieved. It’s been difficult with Covid but I’m glad we got there in the end. I’m looking forward to going to UCL and the Cricket society is one I will definitely be joining.”

Aryan Sutaria

Future legal careers are also popular, with seven students opting to study Law or a law combination degree. Folu Saka will head to Birmingham University to study Law with Business. The keen sportsman who received A A B grades said: “It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of hours. I wasn’t too sure I’d get these grades but I pulled it out of the bag.”

Folu Saka

HEADING TO OXFORD

One student who put a lot on the line was Benjamin Weisz, who applied to the same Oxford University college and same course as his big brother Asher, who left John Lyon in 2019. Having achieved A* A* A, Benjamin will now read Classics at Balliol College in autumn. He said: “I added something to the challenge by applying to the same college as my brother, but I applied because I thought it was the best place to go. Asher is very happy, but hopefully he won’t see much of me there as I’m going to try to avoid him. I told him he’s not allowed to talk to me for the first four weeks!”

Benjamin Weisz, left and big brother Asher, right

GOING AROUND THE COUNTRY

As ever, John Lyon students are heading off around the UK, with the top Russell Group universities making up the bulk of destinations. In a couple of months’ time, Birmingham, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton and Warwick will all welcome Lyonians.

For young men who have lived their lives in London, the capital also remains popular, with a quarter going to the University of London, including seven to University College, three to King’s College, three to Queen Mary, and one each to City, Royal Holloway and Goldsmiths.

ALL-ROUNDERS SUCCEED AGAIN

As well as academic success, John Lyon celebrates achievements outside the classroom, believing busy students are successful students.

Yuvraj Dhunna, a talented flautist in the School orchestra achieved a staggering five A* grades and will study Physics with Theoretical Physics at Imperial.

Yuvraj Dhunna

Ibrahim Mansour, who has been a leading member of the School’s CCF for a number of years, received A* A A A and will now study Medicine.

Ibrahim Mansour

Nicholas Berezovsky (A* A A), a grade 8 violinist and recent Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold expeditionist will head to Durham to study Music.

Nicholas Berezovsky

Rayyan Hussain, who spoke at John Lyon’s first Talks-on-the-Hill lecture series and is preparing to speak at a TEDx event, will study Natural Sciences at UCL following his A* A* A. Rayyan said: “I’m quite shocked but I’ve been working hard and I think these are the grades I deserve. My lockdown experience has been pretty tough but I’ve fought through and I’m proud of these results. I’m pretty excited about going to UCL”

Rayyan Hussain

Nameer Al-Tuhafi, a keen actor and winner of this year’s House Singing competition, will take a year out before going on to study Philosophy following his three A* grades. Nameer said: “I’m ecstatic. Over the moon. I didn’t expect this but I worked hard for it. I don’t think I’ve ever put as much work or effort into anything. It’s been a really strange year but it paid off.”

Nameer Al-Tuhafi

Ishaan Parmar, both a talented artist and long distance runner, will study Business and Management at York thanks to his A B B grades. Ishaan said: “I’m ecstatic and really relieved. Both myself and my teachers really pushed together and they helped me get the grades I’ve got. And I’m excited to start the next chapter of my life.”

Ishaan Parmar

Head Boy Dan Wong, a keen actor, will take his A A B grades to Bristol to study French and Spanish.

Dan Wong

BURSARY SUPPORT

The benefit and value of John Lyon’s bursary schemes can be seen in the grades of the students who have been supported financially through their time at the School.

Twelve of the 68 of the students receiving their results — one fifth — have been supported either by the School or by John Lyon’s Charity, achieving a total of 16 A* grades, 15 As and 8 Bs.

John Lyon remains committed to widening access for local families, enabling the children of those who could not otherwise afford the fees to benefit from our all-round independent school education. This corresponds to the original intention of John Lyon, who, when he founded Harrow School in 1572, stated that he wished to provide an education for children in the parish. Each year, the School makes available a small number of means-tested bursaries to pupils who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential. Information can be found on our Bursaries page.