THE ECHELON
Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Futures
EXCLUSIVE EDITION
This debut edition captures the spirit of an extraordinary year at OIC — from academic excellence and university offers to competitions, trips, and unforgettable moments. *The Echelon* celebrates the people, progress, and passion that define our community at its best.
OXFORD INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
THE ECHELON
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO THE ECHELON
We are proud to introduce The Echelon, Oxford International College’s brand-new end-of-year magazine — a bold and elegant celebration of everything that makes our college community exceptional.
This inaugural edition is more than just a roundup; it’s a tribute to a year defined by academic distinction, personal growth, and pioneering spirit. From the classroom to the competition stage, the lecture hall to the House of Commons, our students have shown what it means to strive, achieve, and lead.
Inside, you’ll find exclusive reflections from the Principal, highlights of our students’ remarkable academic and co-curricular accomplishments, and a vibrant spread of photos capturing the energy, joy, and brilliance of the year.
As we look back on an extraordinary 2024–25 academic year — one filled with Olympiad successes, university offers, thought-provoking enrichment, and inspiring experiences — we also look forward, together, to a future shaped by ambition, purpose, and compassion.
Welcome to The Echelon.
A celebration of who we are — and who we’re becoming.
OXFORD INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Principal’s Welcome
Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Futures.
Welcome to the first edition of The Echelon — Oxford International College’s new end-of-year magazine, created to celebrate the achievements, stories, and spirit that define our extraordinary community.
The name Echelon reflects the high standards and aspirations we set for ourselves as a College. It symbolises the outstanding academic outcomes, pioneering leadership, and resilience shown by our students and staff throughout the year. From national competition success to Olympiad medals, from public speaking accolades to world-class university offers — our students have continued to reach new heights.
Since stepping into my role as Principal in January, I’ve been inspired by the strength of our community. This year, we’ve not only maintained our academic excellence but enriched the student experience through transformative trips, expert-led workshops, and a vibrant boarding life — recognised nationally with the BSA’s Sleep Champion Award.
I am proud to also share our refined Vision and Mission, which reinforce our commitment to cultivating future pioneers who lead with purpose and compassion.
Thank you for being part of the OIC journey. I hope you enjoy this special edition — a tribute to a remarkable year and a community rising together.
Relentless Curiosity. Proven Excellence. Global Ambition
This year has reaffirmed Oxford International College’s place as a centre of academic excellence. Our students met every challenge with discipline, curiosity, and determination — achieving impressive outcomes both in the classroom and far beyond it.
We are proud to celebrate a stellar record of university success, with students receiving offers from the world’s most competitive institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, and top-ranked universities overseas.
These offers reflect not only academic ability but the strength of our personalised guidance and forward-looking preparation.
In national competitions, our students earned outstanding results in the UK Chemistry, Physics, and Maths Olympiads, demonstrating analytical skill, creativity, and advanced problemsolving. These achievements place many of our students among the country’s most capable and motivated sixth formers.
Meanwhile, research projects, subject-focused enrichment, and critical thinking challenges helped students grow beyond the syllabus. Our academic environment — rich in feedback, mentorship, and ambition — ensures students don’t just learn to pass exams, but to thrive as future scholars and leaders.
As the Class of 2025 prepares for university, they do so having set a remarkable standard — one that inspires every year group to follow.
Academic Highlights of the Year
Oxford Global Academic Summit for Young Leaders
Innovation. Teamwork. Victory.
Big ideas, bold moves, brilliant wins. Our students didn’t just compete — they conquered, proving their skill, strategy, and spirit on every stage. Competition successes
This year was marked by an outstanding series of victories and finalist placements across a wide range of academic and technical competitions. These moments weren’t just wins on paper — they were stories of teamwork, perseverance, and innovation in action.
Our Formula 1 in Schools teams reached national finalist level, showcasing their mastery of design engineering, branding, and aerodynamics. TeenTech teams tackled real-world problems through inventive and ethical science-based projects. In the World Economics Cup, OIC students demonstrated strategic thinking and financial acumen on a global stage, making it to the upper ranks of a highly competitive field.
These competitions enriched student learning far beyond the classroom. They helped foster collaboration, time management, resilience, and public speaking — all essential traits for university success and leadership beyond.
Precision. Performance. Excellence.
Olympiads & Public Speaking Distinctions
From mastering complex chemistry challenges to commanding the stage with confidence, our students proved their brilliance in both science and speech. This year’s Olympiad and LAMDA results reflect academic depth, eloquence, and the power of preparation.
OIC students achieved phenomenal results in the UK Chemistry Olympiad this year. A remarkable 96% of our students received an award, with all participating Year 13 pupils achieving Gold Awards — the highest distinction. Year 12 students also impressed, with a quarter earning Silver Awards, showcasing outstanding knowledge and scientific reasoning across year groups. Their performance reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence and intellectual exploration.
On the performance front, our public speaking stars shone brightly once again. We are thrilled to share that in the latest LAMDA Grade 7 & 8 Speaking in Public examinations, the vast majority of our students achieved Distinctions. These exceptional results highlight their ability to speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction — vital skills for future leadership, university interviews, and beyond.
Confidence. Persuasion. Presence.
Public Speaking and Student Voice
This was a year where student voices took centre stage. Whether through Model United Nations, inter-school debates, or internal speech competitions, OIC students proved they could argue, inspire, and persuade with confidence and depth.
Many of our students participated in competitive forums, where they developed poise, presence, and purpose. Their speeches tackled global challenges, ethical dilemmas, and personal convictions, often leaving judges and audiences inspired. These platforms built confidence and authenticity, equipping our students with critical life and career skills.
Within the college, students contributed to assemblies, student council, house discussions, and peer mentorship. Their voices helped shape events, inform policy, and nurture community cohesion.
Learning Comes Alive
Enrichment and Workshops
From surgery skills to parliamentary debates, our enrichment programme turns theory into action — building real-world knowledge, confidence, and future-ready skills.
Learning at OIC goes far beyond textbooks. This year, students experienced a rich variety of enrichment opportunities that brought their studies to life.
Aspiring doctors took part in hands-on Surgery Skills training at King’s College London and clinical preparation workshops at Keble College, Oxford. These experiences offered authentic exposure to real-world medical scenarios, diagnostics, and practical skill-building. Law, Politics and History students explored governance and policy during a visit to the Houses of Parliament, deepening their subject knowledge through direct civic engagement.
In science, humanities, and beyond, we offered workshops in design thinking, coding, research writing, and critical analysis. These not only supported academic development but encouraged creativity, leadership, and interdisciplinary thinking.
Learning that Leaps Off the Page
Enrichment & Workshops
OIC’s enrichment programme is where learning becomes lived experience. This year, students explored new academic terrain, developed practical skills, and gained insight into real-world contexts.
Highlights included Surgery Skills training at King’s College London and Medical Preparation workshops at Keble College, where students practised suturing, diagnostics, and reflected on healthcare careers. Our Law, Politics, and History students visited the Houses of Parliament, engaging with policy and civic debate in the very place laws are made.
Across disciplines, students joined workshops in coding, design thinking, research writing, and problem-solving — sessions that built both creativity and career readiness.
In February, Dentistry students immersed themselves in an intensive Enrichment Week covering anatomy, oral disease, ethics, and hands-on skills. Many will continue with summer placements in local clinics, gaining valuable firsthand experience.
At OIC, enrichment is not just an extra — it’s how we prepare pioneering minds for the future.
These experiences not only allow students to explore their passions in a hands-on way, but also significantly strengthen their university portfolios — demonstrating initiative, subject engagement, and real-world insight.
At OIC, enrichment is not just an extra — it’s how we prepare pioneering minds for the future.
Exploration Beyond the Classroom
Where the World Becomes the Classroom
From botanical gardens to motoring giants, our students stepped into real-world spaces to explore, question, and apply what they’ve learned. These trips didn’t just enhance knowledge — they made learning come alive.
This year, OIC’s learning journey took students far beyond the textbook and out into the world. Fieldwork and academic trips gave students the chance to engage directly with their subjects, strengthen critical thinking, and develop a deeper understanding of real-world application.
Biology students conducted fieldwork at the Oxford Botanical Gardens, studying plant systems, adaptation, and biodiversity in a natural setting. Geography students took to the streets of Oxford to gather data on urban development, environmental impact, and population distribution — turning the city into a living laboratory.
Psychology students visited museums and took part in observational activities to explore behaviour in social spaces, while Politics and History students walked through the very halls where decisions that shaped nations were made. Each outing gave students new tools for understanding theory through experience.
These trips didn’t just reinforce subject knowledge — they made learning tangible, memorable, and relevant. In every case, students returned to the classroom with fresh insight, renewed curiosity, and an enriched academic perspective.
Where Home and Achievement Meet
Boarding Brilliance
As the academic year draws to a close, we celebrate a phenomenal year in boarding at Oxford International College – one marked by community spirit, student growth, and national recognition.
Our boarding provision received glowing praise in an Ofsted inspection, highlighting the strength of our pastoral care, safeguarding, and the nurturing atmosphere we’ve built together. This recognition confirmed what our students already experience every day: that boarding here truly is a home away from home.
Adding to this success, we were named a Sleep Champion, celebrating our commitment to wellbeing and healthy routines. From calm evenings to structured support, we’ve prioritised rest as the foundation for academic and personal success.
The scale of our work is something to be proud of. Over 360 students supported, 215 early wake-ups, 2231 exeat forms processed, and more than 2000 daily duty reports filed – every action reflecting the dedication of our boarding team and the vibrant life of our houses.
We embraced National Boarding Week with creativity and connection, celebrating the diversity and warmth of our community. Looking ahead, we’re inviting students and staff to help shape the future of our boarding ethos by contributing to a refreshed set of Principles and Practice.
This has been a year of care, collaboration and character – a year where boarding has not just supported education, but elevated it. Here’s to a restful summer and an even stronger year ahead.
GRADUATION 2025
A Celebration of Legacy and Launch
The Class of 2025 closed their OIC chapter in style with a stunning graduation ceremony held at the historic Oxford Town Hall. Dressed in academic robes and surrounded by family, friends, and staff, students were honoured for their achievements, character, and contributions to college life.
A day to remember
From heartfelt speeches to proud smiles in academic robes, the ceremony was a moment to reflect on the challenges overcome and the futures being embraced. It marked not just an ending, but the beginning of new chapters at some of the world’s leading universities.
Oxford Town Hall
Following the formal ceremony, staff and students came together to celebrate in true OIC style — sharing a wonderful evening of food, laughter, and music. A celebratory meal brought everyone around the table for stories, toasts, and thanks, before the night ended on a high with a vibrant graduation disco. The dancefloor filled quickly, and the energy, joy, and sense of togetherness was unforgettable.
It was the perfect way to close a defining chapter — one of achievement, friendship, and shared memories that will last a lifetime.
The event was more than a farewell. It was a celebration of resilience, of friendships forged through shared experiences, and of the incredible potential that lies ahead. As our graduates look forward to their next steps – whether returning for Sixth Form or setting out on new paths – they leave with the confidence that comes from being part of something meaningful.
Graduation and Leaver’s meal
Year 11 Graduation
This year’s Year 11 graduation and leavers’ meal was a true celebration of friendship, growth, and all that our students have achieved during their time at Oxford International College. Set against a backdrop of laughter and heartfelt conversation, the evening brought together students and staff to mark the end of an important chapter – and the exciting beginning of the next.
Dressed to impress and beaming with pride, our Year 11s enjoyed a delicious meal shared with housemates, mentors, and friends. Thoughtful speeches and quiet moments of reflection gave space to the many memories made –from late-night revision marathons and weekend outings, to the small everyday moments that shaped their boarding journey.
Aspirin and Achievement
In-House Experiments
This year, boarding life sparked scientific curiosity with hands-on experiments that brought learning to life outside the classroom. A clear highlight for our chemists was the aspirin synthesis – a challenging but rewarding experiment that gave students real insight into pharmaceutical chemistry.
From precise measurements to crystallisation, students engaged with core lab techniques while building confidence and excitement for the subject. The success of the experiment created a real buzz across the houses and proved that even in boarding, science never sleeps.
With more experiments on the horizon, our in-house STEM enrichment continues to grow – inspiring the next generation of scientists one reaction at a time.
Making it possible
A special thank you to Dr Chaudhury and her brilliant team of technicians, whose expertise and support make these experiments possible. Their enthusiasm, care, and behind-the-scenes preparation are at the heart of every successful reaction.
In this gallery section, we step back and simply enjoy the moments that defined the year — from intense academic focus to joyful celebration. Smiling faces, shared victories, and snapshots of daily life show the beating heart of the OIC community.
These images capture what words cannot — the colour, emotion, and energy of an unforgettable year.
We were thrilled to welcome many OIC alumni back to London Place this year. Their stories — from Oxbridge halls to global tech start-ups, hospitals to think tanks — remind us that our influence extends far beyond graduation.
Their journeys continue to inspire the next generation of pioneers.
Carnival, Creativity & Community
Celebrating Student Life
Joy and celebration were never far from view this year. From colourful carnivals in the sun to spontaneous musical performances and community picnics, OIC’s student-led spirit was electric.
Run Club took advantage of Oxford’s beautiful parks, while boarding houses hosted game nights, bake-offs, and cultural evenings that brought students together. These moments, while not found on a transcript, are what truly make OIC a place where young people grow into confident, well-rounded individuals.
A Culture of Professional Excellence
Our staff are more than subject specialists; they are mentors, leaders, and reflective practitioners. Through this year’s INSET programme, colleagues engaged in targeted training delivered by leading experts in pedagogy, mental health, and educational leadership. These sessions sharpened classroom practice, strengthened wellbeing support, and reinforced a shared ethos of continuous improvement.
Notably, staff-led initiatives introduced innovative teaching strategies and enriched our PSHE provision — a key strength highlighted in our recent Ofsted report.
Collaboration remains central to our success. Across academic and pastoral teams, colleagues have worked seamlessly to deliver cohesive, high-impact education. From lesson planning to co-curricular coordination, the integration of roles has enhanced both staff effectiveness and student outcomes.
Our best work has emerged when teams have shared knowledge, championed one another’s ideas, and supported each other in delivering ambitious goals.
Throughout the year, many of our staff stepped forward to lead internal development, mentor peers, and share best practices across departments. This spirit of professional generosity and mutual respect continues to raise standards and foster a culture where everyone is empowered to excel.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to working together — guiding our students, and one another, toward a future defined by excellence and purpose.
FUTURE PIONEERS
The Future, Defined by Purpose
This year we formally launched our refreshed Vision and Mission, setting the tone for the future of Oxford International College. We remain committed to nurturing pioneers — academically excellent, ethically driven, and globally minded.
These guiding principles are woven through everything we do — from the classroom to the boarding house, from student support to university planning. Our students are encouraged to think boldly, act ethically, and pursue excellence not just for themselves, but for the world around them.
Through personalised pathways, real-world experience, and world-class mentoring, OIC empowers students to realise their potential — not only as scholars, but as future scientists, innovators, change-makers, and global citizens.
To remain unrivalled as a world-leading educational institution for cultivating future pioneers in the medical, physical, social and computational sciences through expert teaching, collaboration with research organisations and industry professionals, whilst living in an inspiring and nurturing community. OUR VISION
To create pioneers who excel in the world’s most competitive universities and go on to become leaders who use science with compassion to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. To remain unrivalled as a world-leading educational institution for cultivating future pioneers in the medical, physical, social and computational sciences through expert teaching, collaboration with research organisations and industry professionals, whilst living in an inspiring and nurturing community.
Science with compassion
We promise to champion the use of science not only for progress but for humanity — nurturing students who apply knowledge with empathy and global responsibility.
New Beginnings
OXFORD INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
As we close the academic year, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our parents, guardians, staff, students, and partners. Your trust and collaboration have been instrumental in making this year so successful.
To those moving on — we wish you all the very best in your next chapters. To our returners — we look forward to welcoming you back in September with renewed purpose and energy. The journey continues.
THE ECHELON
