Launceston College Students Win Chemistry Olympiad Awards

Two Golds, Three Silvers and a Bronze for Launceston College Sixth Form Chemists

Nineteen students from Launceston College Sixth Form have walked away with a remarkable set of awards in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prestigious Olympiad, one of the UK’s toughest science competitions for schools.

Top 9% in the UK

Charlotte and Niamh, both in Year 13, earned Gold awards, putting them in the top 9% of entrants nationally. The Olympiad, designed to stretch the brightest young minds, goes far beyond the standard A Level curriculum, quickly progressing into university-level material.

Also in Year 13, Seth, Rowan and Abel achieved Silver awards. Year 12 student Eddie took home a Bronze, an impressive feat given he’s only part-way through his A Level studies.

Evenings Spent Preparing

Students voluntarily gave up their free time every fortnight to attend evening sessions with staff at Launceston College, who supported them in building the advanced problem-solving and application skills needed to succeed.

Mr Matthew Thompson, Principal at Launceston College, said:

“We are incredibly proud of all our students who took part in this year’s Chemistry Olympiad. Their commitment, curiosity, and determination to go above and beyond is truly impressive. These results reflect not only their academic strength but also the dedication of our staff and the vibrant learning culture we foster here at Launceston. Congratulations to everyone involved and we can’t wait to see what they achieve next year!”

A Course That Opens Doors

A Level Chemistry at Launceston College’s Sixth Form gives students the opportunity to explore what the world is made of, from chemical reactions to the development of life-saving drugs. With a strong focus on practical experiments and academic challenge, many students go on to careers in medicine, research and environmental science.

Launceston College, part of Athena Learning Trust, is rated Good across all areas by Ofsted, including Sixth Form provision. Inspectors noted that students follow a broad and ambitious curriculum, building on knowledge in a logical order. Sixth Form students study qualifications aligned to their aspirations, and the work they complete is described as suitably demanding.