Timeline

Academics

A rough timeline of school, competitions, and the route to Cambridge.

Downing College courtyard, University of Cambridge

  1. Year 5

    PANGEA Maths Competition finalist

    Reached the finals of the international PANGEA Maths Competition, gaining early experience applying mathematical skills against a broad field.

  2. Year 10

    Bebras Computational Thinking Gold

    Achieved a Gold award, sparking interest in algorithmic problem-solving and its applications in science and mathematics.

  3. Year 10

    UKMT Senior Maths Challenge Silver

    A demanding but rewarding test of mathematical reasoning and problem-solving at Senior level while still in Year 10.

  4. Year 11

    GCSE results: 11×9, 1×8

    Went into GCSEs mostly worried about Further Maths past papers, and came out with a good set of grades across the board.

  5. Year 11

    Essay publication recognition

    Three of my essays were selected for publication in a national English textbook as exemplars of analytical writing.

  6. Year 12

    British Physics Olympiad Gold

    The problems went well beyond the A-level syllabus, which was exactly why I liked them. This was the point I realised how much I enjoy sitting with a hard problem.

  7. Year 12

    EPQ: Fast Fourier Transform from scratch

    Implemented the Cooley-Tukey FFT algorithm from scratch as an Extended Project to deepen understanding of physics and mathematics.

  8. Year 12

    RTIL research project, IRIS Award shortlist

    Synthesised a novel Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid in a school research project, shortlisted for a national IRIS award.

    Read the write-up

  9. Year 12

    Cambridge Chemistry Challenge Gold

    Achieved Gold, testing understanding of advanced chemical concepts beyond the standard A-level curriculum.

  10. Year 12

    AS Level results: 4 As

    As across Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at AS Level.

  11. Year 13

    Offer from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge

    An offer to read Physical Natural Sciences, after an interview that was far more enjoyable than I expected it to be.

  12. Summer 2026

    A-levels finished

    Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry, plus the EPQ. Seven years at Graveney done.

  13. October 2026

    Cambridge

    Starting Physical Natural Sciences at Fitzwilliam College. First year covers Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Maths, and I'll be writing about it here as I go.