Sixth
Form Success Stories
stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk
W H AT M A K E S S T J O H N ’ S
Sixth Form Our recent Upper Sixth leavers (Summer 2026) achieved an exceptional set of A level results. In August 2026, we were delighted to celebrate the achievements of our Upper Sixth, whose dedication and hard work resulted in an outstanding set of A level results. 25% of all grades were awarded at A*, with 60% at A*- A and 85% at A*- B. Reflecting these excellent outcomes, 96% of leavers secured places at their chosen destination, with 84% progressing to Russell Group or equivalent universities, including Oxbridge, while others have secured places at leading international institutions and degree apprenticeships. This reflects the consistently strong performance of our Sixth Form and the School’s commitment to academic ambition and individual guidance.
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We are immensely proud of our Upper Sixth, whose hard work,
dedication and determination are reflected in these exceptional results. What distinguishes a St John’s education is the way pupils are known and supported as individuals, while being encouraged to aim high, think independently and make the most of the breadth of opportunities available to them. This year group has contributed a great deal to the life of the School, and they leave us not only with excellent results, but with the confidence, curiosity and sense of purpose to thrive in their next chapter. They will always remain part of the St John’s community. Alex Tate, The Head
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A-A *
60%
A-B *
85%
SUCH AN
exceptional
EXPERIENCE
We asked our recent Sixth Form leavers the best thing about their Sixth Form experiences... Joining St John’s in the Sixth Form as a weekly boarder. The friendships, sense of community and friendly rivalry between the Houses made it easy to settle in and feel part of the School from day one. Winning House Rugby in Lower Sixth was a particular highlight. Charlie Stepping outside my comfort zone. From House Singing to performing in the amazing musical performances including 9 to 5 and The Witches of Eastwick, Sixth Form gave me the confidence to challenge myself, develop lasting friendships and pursue my ambition of a career in musical theatre. Emily The combination of academic challenge, house life and the opportunities available through music, including performing with a professional orchestra in the Concerto Competition. Jake The opportunity to challenge myself and explore a wide range of new opportunities including volunteering with the Leatherhead Youth Project and representing the School in sport. South House quickly felt like a second home. Katie The netball tour to Dubai, performing at Cadogan Hall with Sinfonia and volunteering on the Eagle Community Holiday are some of my standout memories. Lisara From volunteering and learning Chinese to house events and sport, the Sixth Form encouraged me to try new things and make the most of every opportunity. Theo The Sixth Form was the best two years of my time at St John’s. It gave me the opportunity to focus on my studies, enjoy excellent facilities including the Perch coffee shop and spend time with friends. Phoebe Work experience at the Institute of Cancer Research, arranged through the School, confirmed that this was the career path I wanted to pursue. Joe
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Joe JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9) A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: UCL COURSE: Cancer Biomedicine
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? From a young age, I found the human immune system incredibly interesting, which led me to delve deeper into disease, specifically cancer. Through work experience at the Institute of Cancer Research, which the School found for me in the summer of my Lower Sixth year, I knew that a career in cancer research was for me. I then attended university open days and carried out thorough research online to find the best university for the course I wanted to study. After discussions with my teachers, I decided that UCL was for me. HOW DID YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? I decided to take on a fourth A level, as I knew that I wanted to study biology and chemistry, but couldn’t decide between maths and French. There was always the option to drop one, though I found the workload very manageable and really enjoyed all my subjects, so I decided to pursue all four, and it was a great decision. Maths was hugely helpful with biology and chemistry, and as an enthusiastic linguist, French was extremely rewarding. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE HOUSE? I really enjoyed having a base throughout the day. It was somewhere I could go every morning, at break and at lunchtime. I could always turn to my housemaster or tutor for support, whether I needed to talk or wanted help managing my workload, and I met some of my closest friends. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I spent a lot of time in the music department as part of the School Choir and orchestra. Some of my best memories are of performing in concerts and the annual Concerto Competition, as well as choir rehearsals with friends. HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS? I was a School Prefect in my Upper Sixth year. I enjoyed being a role model for younger pupils, having a say in school events, and being part of the leadership team with the School Captains.
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Phoebe JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9) A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: Durham COURSE: Politics and Economics
HOW DID YOU FIND THE SIXTH FORM AT ST JOHN’S? Sixth Form was the best two years of my time at St John’s. It gave me the opportunity to focus on my studies, make the most of the amazing facilities, and enjoy the dedicated social spaces, especially The Perch café. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? I’ve always loved working with numbers and knew I wanted to pursue something related to finance, so economics felt like the perfect choice for me. The opportunity to combine this with politics made the course at Durham especially appealing. THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE CORE CURRICULUM HELP YOU? Financial literacy helped me strengthen my CV and secure work experience during the summer and October of Lower Sixth. Political understanding also inspired me to study politics as part of my degree.
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STAFF PROVIDE OLDER PUPILS WITH INDIVIDUAL ADVICE THAT SUPPORTS THEIR CHOICES OF FUTURE PATHWAYS.
ISI Inspection May 2025
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Jake JOINED: Lower Sixth (Year 12) A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: Cambridge COURSE: Music
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? I first became interested in Cambridge when I learned about its supervision system, where students are taught in very small groups directly by leading academics. This approach appealed to me because it offers a highly personalised academic experience. Academic music has always fascinated me, and my first year at St John’s confirmed that this was the path I wanted to pursue. The opportunity to engage critically with the Music Scholarship Programme strengthened my interest further. THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? Completing an EPQ gave me a taste of what independent academic research is like. I developed valuable skills in time management, organisation and presentation. The satisfaction of working on a single project over a period of time has left me excited for similar independent study at university. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? As a music scholar, I really enjoyed participating in many of St John’s concerts across both years. My highlight was the Concerto Competition. Being able to perform with a professional orchestra was an incredible experience and one for which I am truly grateful. HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? During Upper Sixth, I was given the responsibility of leading my house’s part song entry, performing a popular piece of music a cappella in front of the School. The boys performed very well and achieved a well-deserved third place, which was a great success and a proud moment.
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A BROAD AND WELL-STRUCTURED PROGRAMME OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ALLOWS PUPILS OF ALL AGES TO LEARN NEW SKILLS AND CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR HIGH ACHIEVEMENT, PARTICULARLY IN SPORTS AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.
ISI Inspection May 2025
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Katie JOINED: Lower Sixth (Year 12) A LEVEL RESULTS: A A B UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP: Reading / PwC COURSE: BSc Accounting and Business Flying Start Programme
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY, FIELD OF STUDY AND/OR APPRENTICESHIP? I first found the PwC Flying Start apprenticeship through UCAS while looking at different university and career options. I then visited the University of Reading and really loved the campus, atmosphere, and what the course had to offer. The apprenticeship particularly stood out to me because it combines studying for a degree with gaining practical experience at PwC. I liked the idea of being able to apply what I learn at university in a real working environment, while also working towards a professional career in accounting and finance. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE HOUSE? I thoroughly enjoyed being part of South House, which quickly felt like a second home. Weekly boarding was especially helpful during my exams, as it allowed me to stay focused with teachers nearby whenever I needed support. I also loved the South House spirit and taking part in competitions such as house song and hockey. They were great fun and brought everyone together. Overall, being part of South was one of my favourite parts of my time at St John’s. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? In Lower Sixth, I took part in the 9 to 5 production, participated in the Leatherhead Youth Project, played tennis for the 1st team, and represented the 4th hockey team. These opportunities allowed me to get involved in different areas of school life and meet a wide range of people. HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? Within South House, I was a Boarding Prefect. I enjoyed supporting the younger pupils and helping to strengthen the sense of community across the year groups.
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Charlie JOINED: Lower Sixth (Year 12) A LEVEL RESULTS: A A A UNIVERSITY: Bath COURSE: International Development with Economics
HOW DID YOU FIND JOINING ST JOHN’S IN THE SIXTH FORM? I found it a positive experience. I came in heavily involved in rugby, and everyone was very welcoming from the start. I found it easy to meet different people and mix with groups around the School. I was able to settle in quickly and felt like I was part of the year group, which made the transition into the Sixth Form much easier. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? Somewhat unconventionally, I knew from the beginning that my main aim at university was to play rugby at a high level, with my degree being a secondary consideration. As a result, choosing my universities was relatively straightforward, as I already had a shortlist of around five to seven universities that I was interested in. The more challenging part was researching each university in greater depth and finding a course that suited my interests in global economics and business. When looking into Bath, the course was well suited to me. I had also always really liked the university whenever I visited, which made Bath an obvious choice for me. WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN HOUSE? As a weekly boarder in West House, my experience may have been slightly different from other pupils, but it was one of my favourite parts of my two years at the School. I really enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and the strong friendships you develop through boarding, particularly with the people you spend the week with. The house community made my time especially enjoyable. I also loved the friendly competition between houses, with winning house rugby in Lower Sixth being a particular highlight.
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LEADERS ENABLE PUPILS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF SERVICE THROUGH CHARITABLE INITIATIVES AND A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS. PUPILS’ ENGAGEMENT IN THESE ENDEAVOURS CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
ISI Inspection May 2025 Page 8 | ST JOHN’S SUCCESS STORIES
Lisara JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9) A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* and EPQ A* UNIVERSITY: California, Los Angeles (UCLA) COURSE: Neuroscience (Pre-Med Track)
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? My main reason for choosing to study in the United States was the broad education it provides. As part of an American degree, I will complete General Education requirements alongside my course, allowing me to take classes that interest me and broaden my learning beyond the content of my degree. For example, although I am a STEM major, I will also be studying language and humanities subjects. I like the idea of this because, after studying STEM subjects for two years at A Level, I wanted the opportunity to explore a wider range of subjects rather than focusing solely on science for the next three years. I plan to go to medical school after completing my undergraduate degree and pre-med requirements at UCLA, which led me to choose neuroscience as my major. I think it will be a fascinating combination of the sciences I have most enjoyed studying, namely biology and chemistry, while also allowing me to explore psychology, which particularly interests me. I also believe that studying neuroscience will provide me with the knowledge and skills needed for medical school. THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? I found completing my Extended Project Qualification especially useful, challenging, and rewarding. It encouraged me to develop new skills, such as research and referencing, which I can now confidently use at university. Completing the EPQ also allowed me to study a specific topic in depth, which strengthened my university application by enabling me to demonstrate my passion for and interest in medical sciences. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I’ve been involved in sport, music, and volunteering, and these opportunities were among the highlights of my school experience. The netball tour to Dubai, performing at Cadogan Hall with Sinfonia, and volunteering on the Eagle Community Holiday are some of my standout memories. HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? In the Upper Sixth, I was a School Prefect and House Captain. I really enjoyed taking on these roles and being able to act as a voice for the pupil body while contributing to life at St John’s as a prefect. Being a House Captain was an honour because it allowed me to give back to my house, help shape Hawkins’ culture and encourage younger girls to get involved.
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Emily JOINED: Lower Sixth (Year 12) A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A UNIVERSITY: Italia Conti COURSE: BA Acting (Musical Theatre)
HOW DID YOU FIND JOINING ST JOHN’S IN THE SIXTH FORM? I had a seamless transition into Sixth Form and quickly settled in. This was significantly helped by the staff within the house and by my involvement in the co-curricular activities. Throwing myself into house events such as House Singing, although uncomfortable at first, was amazing for developing my friendships and finding my voice within the School. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY? I had to audition for a number of drama schools at the start of Upper Sixth because of their incredibly low acceptance rates. Several rounds of auditions helped me determine which schools suited me best. I chose Italia Conti for its rigorous but rewarding programme and its success stories within the industry. THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? My fourth option, Arts Award, helped me gain confidence in stepping outside my comfort zone within the performing arts and helped me hone my creativity skills I had otherwise avoided, such as songwriting. It also greatly improved my communication skills, as we had the opportunity to work within the community and share our art forms. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I took part in two musicals during my time in Sixth Form, 9 to 5 and The Witches of Eastwick. They were a highlight of my time at St John’s and strengthened my drive and self-belief in pursuing a career in the performing arts. I cannot recommend the drama department enough for the support and nurturing it gives every single pupil involved in a production.
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THE HOUSE SYSTEM IS CENTRAL TO THE SCHOOL. PUPILS ARE SUPPORTED EFFECTIVELY BOTH BY PASTORAL STAFF AND BY OLDER PUPILS.
ISI Inspection May 2025
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Theo JOINED: Lower Third (Year 7) A LEVEL RESULTS: A A B UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP: Middlesex / Unilever COURSE: B2B Sales Degree Apprenticeship
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR APPRENTICESHIP AND FIELD OF STUDY? I applied for a number of apprenticeships, and Unilever stood out to me because of its inclusive culture, well-structured programme and the trust they place in apprentices from the very beginning. I was impressed by the responsibility and client-facing opportunities available early on, while still being supported in developing my skills through both work and study. I’ve always enjoyed the practical side of learning and applying my studies to real-life situations, so apprenticeships had always appealed to me. Once I reached Lower Sixth and researched them in detail, I knew it was the right path for me. THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE CORE CURRICULUM AND YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? Financial literacy helped me when applying for apprenticeships by giving me a stronger understanding of finance and business, as well as greater confidence in these areas. The EPQ developed my research, organisation and written communication skills, helping me express my ideas more confidently in applications and interviews. Political understanding improved my awareness of how politics can affect businesses and industries. Overall, the Lower Sixth core curriculum and fourth option gave me valuable skills that will help me succeed in the workplace. DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? Throughout my time at St John’s, I was actively involved in sports teams, clubs, and a range of co-curricular activities. I learned Chinese, volunteered in care homes, and participated in sport. These experiences broadened my horizons, helped develop new skills, and introduced me to people I may not otherwise have met. HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? Yes, I was a house prefect in North House and really enjoyed being part of a team where we supported one another and worked together to achieve our goals. It was rewarding to help organise house events and see other pupils getting involved. The role also gave me the opportunity to support younger pupils in the same way that older pupils had supported me.
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September 2026
St John’s School T +44 (0)1372 373000 school@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk
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