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Queen Elizabeth’s School Year 13 pupils were today basking in the brilliance of outstanding A-level results that will propel them into top degree courses at world-leading universities.

In a second challenging, Covid-hit year, 39 boys confirmed their Oxbridge offers, while 26 boys have won places to read Medicine, including 11 at UCL alone, where the medical school is ranked in the global top ten.

Eighteen pupils were awarded places on ‘pure’ Economics courses, not counting several others joining courses with an Economics element, such as Economics & Geography and Oxford’s famous Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) course.

The results, which reflect the year group’s consistently high standards of work over many months, add to QE’s long-term record of excellence at the highest levels: 2021 is the 16^th consecutive year in which the proportion of A*–B grades achieved by QE pupils has exceeded 95%. A total of 57 boys – more than a third of the 163-strong cohort – are recorded as having achieved straight A* grades.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “The boys’ hard work and resolve during the pandemic are well demonstrated by these deserved grades, and today gives us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their efforts and their excellence.

“While the results data can’t be directly compared to those from other years, as it has been a unique set of circumstances, at QE we have been rigorous in drawing upon a range of highly credible evidence on which to base our teacher assessed grades.”

This evidence includes the post-Easter examinations, which gave pupils a final opportunity to show what they could do and demonstrate the fruits of their dedication during the lockdowns.

Mr Enright pointed out that the cohort’s Sixth Form experience has been very different from the norm, not only in terms of the way academic performance is assessed – with no final A-level examinations – but also in terms of the repeated switches between online and on-site lessons and extra-curricular activities.

“They have shown notable adaptability, determination, spirit and humour in navigating this situation. They will be equipped with skills of independent learning beyond those of previous year groups, which will stand them in strong stead for the next phase of their studies.

“Moreover, they can look forward to exciting futures, having secured fantastic university offers as a year group. Staff remain on hand to offer support to anyone who needs it.

“We do regret that Year 13 have necessarily missed out on some of the activities and opportunities that would normally characterise our Sixth Form experience. On the positive side, over their entire QE careers, they have certainly contributed to the extra-curricular life of the School. This group includes some of our first robotics competitors, while boys have also made their mark in sport, drama and music. As they reached the senior years, they have served as role models and leaders to younger pupils, both through mentoring and through specific endeavours, such as setting up our pupil-led Perspective initiative.

“In this most challenging year, QE leavers at least can make their next steps with confidence. We are proud of this cohort of confident, able and responsible Elizabethans and trust that they and their families are, too. We very much hope that they will stay connected with the School, and each other, for many years to come.”

• Click here to see the full results table.

Boys from Years 7–10 relished the opportunities offered to them during Enrichment Week 2021, when all four year groups were given a day off from their normal lesson timetables.

From the cerebral and scientific challenge of cryptography to the literary, emotional and rhetorical attractions of Shakespeare, the week featured a very diverse range of activities designed to be both stimulating and fun.

For Year 10, the brief was to work in groups to design and construct ‘wearable architecture’, using 6mm paper tubes.

Assistant Head (Pupil Progress) Sarah Westcott said: “The boys were asked to give consideration to form and structure. Many of the groups demonstrated good team-working skills, with some of them even managing to include moving parts.”

Year 10 were also involved in drama workshops that included performances of a heavily abridged version of Romeo and Juliet.

Year 7 enjoyed the chance to apply a little lateral thinking in an RAF cyber security challenge.  This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) activity involved tackling a series of cryptography and coding tasks and helping a company retrieve its stolen data from cyber criminals. Working in teams of six, the boys competed against each other and against the clock, battling to be the first to unlock the stolen data.

The task helped inform them about ‘phishing’ and other techniques used by criminals to compromise their targets’ data.

Originally the day was to be led in person by RAF personnel, but because of Covid restrictions, the School managed it virtually, starting the day with a live stream through YouTube in which the boys were given an outline of their tasks and an overview of the importance of cyber security. Funded by the RAF, the event was run in collaboration with the Smallpeice Trust, an educational charity promoting careers in science and engineering to young people.

“We wanted to raise awareness of digital careers, whilst developing students’ problem-solving and research skills,” said Dr Westcott. “Students found it challenging to work to time and benefitted from the need to think creatively to solve problems whilst coordinating their team’s efforts.

“The event was intended to give an insight into the types of skills required for careers in cyber-forensics. The boys discovered that it isn’t all about coding – you must be a collaborative member of a team and keep a cool head under time pressure, too.”

In addition, Year 7 flexed their vocal cords in a singing workshop, while Years 8 and 9 took to the countryside on their respective sponsored walks.

Sixth-former Ukendar Vadivel has won an award from the Lord Mayor of London for his innovative work producing face shields for the NHS during last year’s lockdown.

He worked closely with classmates and a newly formed group called the 3D Crowd to reduce 3D printing time for Personal Protective Equipment in a collaborative effort that used both the School’s machines and pupils’ home 3D printers. Much of the effort both at QE and across London was spearheaded by QE’s Head of Technology, Michael Noonan.

Ukendar, who is an apprentice with the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers (WCSIM), was presented with the Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Livery Award by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell. The award recognises the contribution made by livery company members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Thank you very much to the WCSIM for putting me forward for the award!” said Ukendar, who is in Year 13 and is one of this summer’s leavers.

“I am honoured to receive it, and it is a testament to what everyone at 3D Crowd has achieved over the past year and a half. I’d also like to especially thank Mr Noonan for getting us as QE students involved in such a wonderful cause.”

With the NHS urgently requiring PPE as the pandemic hit the UK, Ukendar worked closely with the 3D Crowd, who had designed, and been authorised to supply to medics, a bespoke 3D-printed face shield.

He purchased a stock of the raw materials needed before setting about the task of drastically reducing the time needed to manufacture the masks. By exchanging ideas and designs with the group, he managed to get production time down from 3–4 hours to well under 2 hours.

“At one point, I was one of the top ten producers of face shields in the London area, alongside one of my fellow schoolmates!” he says.

“The past year hasn’t been easy on any of us, but when we can put our minds together, the community can make a genuine difference. Being a part of 3D Crowd and WCSIM taught me about the value of collaboration, and the power of working towards a common goal.

“I loved helping out the real heroes of our country, the NHS workers, who of course have given so much to the public to help the country get through the pandemic. I am incredibly proud of my own mother, who was on the front lines for at least two months, alongside all the other nurses at her hospital, and indeed across the country.”

Ukendar is currently awaiting the results of his A-Levels in Product Design, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics.

The School’s 2021 return to cricket brought a glittering county cup run for one team and the best performance in decades by an individual batsman.

After last year’s Summer Term lockdown wiped out all cricket fixtures, the current Year 8 team reached the final of the 2021 Middlesex County Cup following victories in the early rounds that were capped by a ten-wicket win in the semi-final.

And in Year 10, Ranvir Sinha broke School records by scoring three centuries during the season.

Head of Cricket Richard Scally said: “Overall, it has been very pleasing to see cricket back this summer and to return to both Saturday and mid-week fixtures for the pupils.  In what has nevertheless been a challenging season – with not only Covid but the poor weather we have had – the completion of 78 fixtures has been a great achievement.”

Even though they had had no opportunity to play when they were in Year 7, the Year 8 boys put together a string of impressive performances. On their path to the county cup final, they saw off challenges from Alexandra Park School in round 1, Fortismere School in round 2 and Enfield Grammar School in round 3.

In the semi-final, bowler Krutarth Behera’s 5 wickets for just 8 runs helped them dismiss The Fulham Boys School for 37 all out. In the final, held at Harrow School, the team fell 57 runs short in their pursuit of St Benedict’s 151-7.

Mr Scally said: “We’re proud of the team’s performances throughout the tournament ably led by captain Ved Nair, and of those of our Year 9 and Year 10 teams, who reached their semi-final and quarter-final respectively.”

The scoring of three centuries by the Year 10 team’s ace batsman, Ranvir Sinha, was, said Director of Sport Jonathan Hart, “a fantastic achievement”. Neither he nor Dave Maughan, who was Head of Games from 1974–2003, could remember any pupil previously pulling off such a feat.

In Year 9, Girish Radhakrishnan has also been very impressive with his bowling, both for his School team and for his county, Berkshire, Mr Scally added.

Ranvir, Ved, Girish and Krutarth all featured in the QE team of the year drawn up by the PE department at the end of the season.

“With continued investment in the square and some very talented young cricketers coming through the School, cricket is in a good position as we look forward to a more normal 2022,” said Mr Scally.

Prize-winners at Junior Awards should be proud of all they have achieved in the most testing times, Headmaster Neil Enright told them in his address.

After the live event was cancelled last July because of the pandemic (with an online version in its stead), the Junior Awards Ceremony went ahead in person this year, but in reduced format, without the usual audience of parents, VIP guests and the whole QE staff.

Nevertheless, more than 100 prizes were awarded in a formal afternoon ceremony in the Main School Hall that included speeches and musical interludes performed by the School’s young musicians. Pictured, top, is vocalist Rishi Watsalya performing Tachchur Singarachari’s Ninnu Kori. Rishi won both the Year 7 Music award and the House award for Harrisons’.

“We have gathered this afternoon, despite the challenges, because you are deserving of this recognition,” said Mr Enright to the assembled award-winners.

“To be part of this select occasion is particular testament to your motivation, dedication and resilience over the past year. You have not just coped with the circumstances caused by the pandemic, but have continued to thrive.

And the Headmaster concluded: “I am excited to see what you can achieve with further growth. How you can be beacons among your peers and be shining lights in your communities, industries, and in society, in the years ahead. What can you do, day-by-day, to make tomorrow brighter still, for you and for others?”

Prizes at Junior Awards are given for excellence and achievement in curriculum subjects, as well as in extra-curricular activities and in contributions to wider School life.

In total, 57 boys from the total of around 570 boys in Years 7–9 received prizes in the end-of-year ceremony.

In his address toward the conclusion of the afternoon, the 2021 School Captain, Siddhant Kansal, of Year 12, urged the prize recipients to “cherish the moment” and reminded them of the magnitude of their accomplishment in the particular context of QE: “Today, you are the one in ten who has been selected to win a prize out of all those fantastically talented other boys.”

Musical performances included a processional at the beginning of the event – Oblivion, by the Argentine tango composer, Piazzola.

Other pieces played were a Chopin Nocturne and Smetana’s Aus der Heimat No. 2. The recessional was the Waltz and Gavotte from Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano by Shostakovich.