2025 Leavers’ Portraits
Daniel, Cowdrey House
University of Cambridge, Medicine
A Levels:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
Our last Christmas Chapel, everyone was in full voice, and it felt like a full-circle moment from our first Chapel, where everything seemed so loud.
What will you miss most?
My House, the friendships I’ve made within it and the atmosphere created by a good group of people.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
To extend myself further at university in the subjects I’m interested in. .
A word from his Housemaster…
“Determined, self-disciplined and focused, Daniel combines a seriously heavyweight academic intellect, with a great sense of humour… …the fact that he received offers from all five of the medical schools that he applied to, is truly exceptional, and a real testament to his intellectual ability, commitment and passion for the subject.”
Nick Rendall, Housemaster of Cowdrey House
Ben, Oakeshott House & Deputy Head of School 2024-25
University of Oxford, Ruskin School of Fine Art, Fine Art
A Levels:
Art, English, French and Greek. Ben also received a special mention as one of the top performers in his A Level Art.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
Finally winning the House Music competition in my Upper Sixth with the piece I arranged, after having tried so hard every previous year to win!
What will you miss most?
The Art Department has been one of my most loved areas of the school, so I am going to miss it a lot.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
I’m really excited to meet other like-minded people at university, who have the same passion for their subject as I do!
A word from the Headmaster…
“Ben is a tremendous young man and has endeared himself to his teachers and to his peers alike thanks not only to his wide-ranging accomplishments and ever-expanding interests, but also for his warmth and remarkable modesty as an individual.”
James Priory, Headmaster
Ethan, Parkside & Head of School 2024-25
University of Cambridge, Law
A Levels:
Maths, Physics, Economics and English, as well as a Spanish Language Qualification and an EPQ.
What has Tonbridge taught you?
My experiences at Tonbridge have rounded me as a person and allowed me to develop my passions to the fullest.
A word from his Housemaster…
“Ethan has been the model Tonbridgian, combining his academic success with a full exploration of the opportunities for co-curricular pursuits provided by the School. He has experienced success for House and School in basketball and essay competitions, as well as academic prizes, to name but a few. He has also participated in the Oxford and Cambridge Union Debating finals.
As a Youth Ambassador for Mindfulness, he has spoken in the House of Commons and fundraised for a Sensory Room at Long Mead Primary School. All the while, Ethan remains humble, curious and kind”.
Christopher Thompson, Housemaster of Parkside
Alex, Park House
University of Cambridge, Engineering
A Levels:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
I’d say the highlight of my time at Tonbridge was taking part in the International Rocketry Challenge final with the School. It was an incredible opportunity that really confirmed my interest in physics and engineering, and it was a lot of fun working with my teammates and Mr Waite, Head of Science.
What will you miss most?
The community. It’s been great to create so many lasting friendships both in house and around the school, and I’ll miss the chats had in class or around the house. Also, I really appreciated the approachability of teachers, who were always willing to clarify any questions or lead me in any extension.
Haris, Manor House
University College London, Medicine
A Levels:
Biology, Maths, History and Chemistry.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
The opportunity to immerse myself in all sorts of activities and community events, from the academic challenges and extension sessions, to working with the community as part of Tonbridge Community Action. The ability to diversify my calendar across sports, academics and extracurricular activity has for me been something to cherish here at Tonbridge.
What will you miss most?
I think one thing I will miss will be the great support I’ve had, not just from teachers, but the real sense of community. The sense of belonging really has helped me propel my learning and take part in host of activities I never would have seen myself doing.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
I’m looking forward to university and expanding on my community work when I hopefully start my medical career. I will really look to implement the values of care and compassion Tonbridge has taught me in my field.
Farlie, School House
University of Oxford, English
A Levels:
Religious Studies, History, Spanish and English.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
Writing my Chichele Essay earlier this year – of all of the essays that I’ve written, it was probably the one that felt most reflective of all of the things I’ve learned at School, synthesised, equally, in the way that I’ve learned to think – it felt incredibly personal and is something I’m really proud of.
What will you miss most?
Chapel – it’s such a unifying feeling, being together with the rest of the school, particularly when there’s a belter of a hymn.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
Having loved English for as long as I can remember, I’m really looking forward to pursuing it at degree level; the depth and breadth of Oxford’s course is so appealing to me, as well as the fact that I can completely devote myself to my specific interests. Equally, I plan to walk some of the Camino de Santiago this summer and am excited to both test my Spanish abilities and have some time to introspect.
Max, Hill Side
University of Oxford, Philosophy and Spanish
A Levels:
Economics, Maths, Spanish and English.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
Our Lower Sixth Modern Languages Spanish trip to Granada, it’s a charming city and a completely different experience travelling with friends and teachers.
What will you miss most?
The community and House life in Hill Side.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
Being in a completely new city for university.
A word from his Housemaster...
“Max has been a huge figure in house life. Not just as a well-respected House Prae, and not just for leading on high profile campaigns like house debating, but because his sheer intellectual engagement makes him an excellent role model for the younger boys. He is the epitome of the Tonbridge student – open, polite, driven, resilient, with excellent people skills”.
Patrick North, Housemaster of Hillside
Ralph, Oakeshott House
University of Cambridge, Mathematics
A Levels:
Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
The best part of Tonbridge has been the climbing club – going on trips to Spain, Wales, Greece, the Lake District and others with the school has given me memories and friends for life.
What will you miss most?
My friends in Oakeshott will be the thing I miss the most, having spent so much time with them over the last five years.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
I’m really excited to meet other like-minded people at university, who have the same passion for their subject as I do!
A word from his Housemaster…
“His successive British Olympiad Golds reflect his glittering mathematical career at Tonbridge. Climbing is of course where Ralph has also made his mark for both the School and Oakeshott, having won the Independent Schools Climbing Championships 2025. Just as importantly, he has been the consummate team player, with excellent judgement and earning the trust of his peers right across the social spectrum by the modest and understated way he has gone about his business.”
Graham Barnes, Housemaster of Oakeshott House
Ollie, Manor House
University College London, Law
A Levels:
Economics, English and Politics.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
The highlight of my time at Tonbridge was House Music this year – getting to sing Summer of ’69 in front of the audience is something I don’t think I’ll forget!
What will you miss most?
I’ll miss boarding the most – it’s been an experience I’ll always be grateful for, and I shall miss all those who made it so special.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
The new experiences that lie ahead – one thing Tonbridge has taught me is to take every opportunity given to you, so I’m excited to see what’s to come.
A word from his Housemaster…
“Ollie has that impressive combination of character traits that will undoubtedly see him go far in life: a fierce intellect, a determined work ethic, and the confidence of his convictions. It has certainly seen him achieve great success here at Tonbridge, and he leaves us with a string of top results both public and internal, and a place to read a competitive subject at a top university. He has always thrown himself into sporting opportunities wherever they have presented themselves, representing the school and house in a series of major and minor sports in addition to playing the cello.”
Stefan Hargreaves, Housemaster of Manor House
David, Park House
University of Cambridge, Medicine
A Levels:
Biology, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Highlight of your time at Tonbridge?
Post-GCSEs, having the time to play tennis and football with people in the House every day.
What will you miss most?
Living close to all my friends.
What are you most looking forward to after leaving School?
Gaining more independence, improving my cooking, learning to drive
A word from the Headmaster…
“David deserves to feel very proud of having completed his time at Tonbridge so strongly and with the evident warmth and appreciation of his teachers for his intellectual energy and prowess. He is a brilliant student and will make an outstanding medic, thanks not only to his scholarliness but his innate ability to communicate and connect. It is a powerful combination, and I am not surprised therefore that he is in such high demand from medical schools and already the recipient of a major scholarship to support his studies at Cambridge.”
James Priory, Headmaster
