MPW London

There is no one ‘typical’ MPW London student and we are joined each year by people with varying interests from varying backgrounds. What they have in common is a friendly, open approach, a mature attitude and a desire to achieve their highest potential. We make great efforts to support students personally as well as academically which is evident both in their development during their time with us and in the successes they achieve both inside and outside of college. Hear from current students or recent leavers below:

Tallulah

Tallulah was at rock bottom when she joined MPW. She had just finished year 13 at her previous school with very disappointing grades. Instead of settling for second best she decided to try again and joined us for a year to take Politics and History A level courses, which paid dividends on results day 2017 when Tallulah achieved A*A*. Now she is reading History at Cambridge University.

“My time at MPW has really been one of gaining my confidence back and believing in myself but also having a new attitude in terms of the future. MPW has really given me back the belief that I can achieve top grades and succeed which was so important for me because when I came for my admissions meeting back in August my confidence was shot and I didn’t know if I was going to go to the universities I’d always dreamed of. The teachers always encouraged me to do my best and didn’t shy away from giving me fair, constructive criticism – which was exactly what I needed to understand what the examiners were looking for and how I could improve on what I was doing wrong.”

James

James (JJ) took his GCSEs at MPW, in which he achieved A*A*A*A*A*A*A*AAAAB. He is now in the first year of his A levels, taking Ancient History, Chemistry, Maths and Physics as well as working towards his EPQ.

“The discussion-based informal teaching at MPW is really effective, as are the small classes which mean that you and the teacher can get to know each other well. I feel more comfortable asking for help in such a small group. Having a Director of Studies has also really helped me – it’s great to have someone looking out for you and when the pressure was on with exams I was able to go and discuss my worries with my DOS, who was very helpful and reassuring. I know other students who have been helped in others ways by their DOS, for example in terms of organisation or revision planning. It’s all very personal and tailored to you. At MPW you feel like a young adult rather than a child.”

Tara

Tara achieved AS grades of CCCC at her previous school and was sure that she could do better. She transferred to MPW between years 12 and 13 and in one year with us, Tara achieved A*A*A in her Chemistry, Maths and Biology A levels. Now she is reading Medicine at University College London.

“I moved schools after my AS levels because I had underperformed and felt that my current school was not right for me. The teachers at MPW have been amazing and have all gone over and above everything I needed. In addition the Director of Studies system is incredible and having that support was so helpful. Coming to MPW is the best decision I ever made, I’m just so glad I came here. I would never have got these grades without the support of MPW and my fantastic teachers.”

Harry

Harry left MPW in 2015 with A level grades of grades A*A*A in English Literature, Politics and History. He went to read Law at King’s College London but founded a business alongside his studies in his first year. This was subsequently bought by a large investment fund where Harry is now working for as Europe’s youngest venture capitalist.

“I really mean this: I would not be who I am without MPW. I’m going to send my kids there. They turned me around from AS levels of ADDD to the grades I needed for King’s. I loved the teaching: they mark you really tough so that when the exams come around they are easier in comparison – I got 100% in three papers. The teachers genuinely care for you as well; my AS English teacher made the effort to help me with my A2 coursework even though she was not involved and my Director of Studies emailed me about my personal statement for UCAS when she was on a skiing holiday. I don’t know anywhere else that you get such dedicated one-to-one support.”

If you would like to hear more from MPW London students, visit our website.

 

Each year CIFE awards prizes to students who have done exceptionally well. 38 prizes were awarded in 2017, so we were delighted to see MPW London students pick up 8 awards this year. Prizes were presented by CIFE President Lord Lexden at a ceremony held in the House of Lords.

Xiaorui (Iris) Zhan won the CIFE Award for Economics. Xiaorui joined MPW from Kazakhstan for our two-year A level course in Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. She achieved grades A*A*A*A and won a place to read Natural Sciences at Durham University.

 

Amy Wells, Ming Yan Lee and Lily Rabson each won CIFE awards for Humanities.

Amy joined MPW from St Catherine’s School for our two-year A level course in Economics, Psychology and Religious Studies. She achieved grades A*A*A* and is now taking a gap year. Mrs Wells is pictured receiving the award on Amy’s behalf.

 

 

Ming Yan joined MPW from Hong Kong for the one-year A level courses in Chemistry, English Literature and History of Art. She achieved grades A*A*A and won a place to read English at University College, London. She won The MPW Outstanding Achievement Prize given she achieved these outstanding grades in a single year of study.

 

 

Lily joined MPW from Surbiton High School for our two-year A level course in Geography, History of Art and Photography. She achieved grades A*A*A and won a place to read Geography at the University of Exeter. Lily won The Denise Callaghan prize for the best overall performance in A level arts subjects at MPW.

 

 

Sophie Geikie-Cobb  won the CIFE award for Languages. Sophie joined MPW from St Mary’s School for our two-year A level course in English Literature, French and Latin. She achieved grades A*AA and won a place to read English at the University of St Andrews.

 

 

The CIFE award for GCSE was won by MPW student Evgenia Alexandrova.

Evgenia joined MPW from the International School of London and took nine GCSE subjects over one year, achieving grades A*A*A*A*A*A*A*AA. She was the top GCSE student in MPW. She is now studying A levels at Godolphin and Latymer School on an academic scholarship.

 

 

Paloma Morales  won the Paul Kitchener Memorial Award for best performance on a university foundation course. Paloma joined MPW from France for our one-year university foundation programme. She achieved a distinction in all four of her modules and won a place to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the London School of Economics.

 

 

Tara Bage won a CIFE College Prize for her outstanding contribution to life at MPW London. Tara joined MPW from Hurstpierpoint College with grades CCC for our one-year A level course in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. After a year at MPW she achieved grades A*A*A and applied to read Medicine at university. Tara has unconditional offers from Imperial, Kings and UCL.

 

 

 

On Thursday 7^th April, the Council for Independent Education held its annual award ceremony to celebrate the impressive academic achievements of students in each member college.

The ceremony is always an auspicious affair, held over afternoon tea in the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords, and this year was no different. The room was decorated beautifully and the prizewinning students were accompanied to the tea by proud family and friends; the atmosphere was animated and spirits were high.

MPW students had a hard act to follow after our strong performance in 2015 but results this summer were impressive and students scooped seven prizes, five for MPW London and a further two for MPW Birmingham.

Lord Lexden presented each student with a certificate to commemorate their achievements and a photographer was on hand to preserve the memories of what is always a fantastic event and a highlight of the MPW calendar. Being in the presence of so many bright and promising young people is always a humbling experience and this year was no different. It was a well-deserved celebration of their talent and success and our sincere congratulations are offered to all of the prizewinners.

Full details of MPW London prizewinners are provided below.

Three MPW London students won CIFE Awards for Humanities prizes:

Jing Jing (Joyce) Fong won the History of Art award. Joyce joined MPW from Malaysia for an 18-month A level course and took up History of Art in September, taking the full A level over a single year. She achieved an A* in addition to her A*A in English Literature and Maths and won a place to read History of Art at University College London. Joyce unfortunately had to return to Malaysia at short notice and is now studying instead at the Malaysian campus of the University of Nottingham.

Coco Huggins won the Geography award. Coco joined MPW in September 2014 and took A levels in English and Geography over one year, achieving A*A*. She is currently finishing her A level in German as well as taking Geology A level over one year and an AS level in Economics and is looking forward to studying Geography at Durham University.

Harry Stebbings won the Government & Politics award. Harry joined MPW for a two-year A level course, achieving grades A*AA in English Literature, History and Politics, including full marks in one History and two Politics modules. Harry is now reading Law at king’s College, London.

The Paul Kitchener Memorial Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement was awarded to Nadine Tangie who joined MPW from Malaysia for an LSE IFP (International Foundation Programme) course. Nadine was the youngest of all the IFP students and achieved a distinction, the highest IFP grade. In addition, she received a commendation from LSE for gaining the top mark in International Relations among all the students nationally and internationally who sat the examination. Nadine is now studying Politics and Economics at SOAS.

The MPW London College Award was won by Freddy Champion. Freddy took an 18-month A level course at MPW London in Maths, Biology and Chemistry. Prior to joining MPW, Freddy was a professional football player and he used his knowledge and talent to coach the football team through a long unbeaten run, as well as scoring a record number of goals. Freddy achieved AAB in his A levels and is now reading Medicine at the University of Liverpool.

 

In addition to MPW’s extensive extra-curricular programme, the college is keen to support students in their own ventures. Travel scholarship are awarded to students who are attempting adventurous or worthwhile overseas travel and our students have explored the four corners of the globe extensively between them.

Last year, one student travelled to Nepal with Raleigh International to help rebuild a community following the devastating earthquake that the country suffered. Lara Tritton gave up her time to travel to the remote rural community of Adhikari Gaun to help with the building efforts. She also raised a considerable sum of money beforehand by completing a sponsored triathlon and holding a bake sale in the MPW reception areas. An exceptional trip which Lara describes as the most challenging and worthwhile experience of her life.

In addition to Lara’s charitable efforts, another MPW student, Phoebe Baker, supported the work of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) who make efforts to ensure that elephants and humans can live together in an area of the country where humans are destroying the creatures’ natural habitat and finding themselves in the (dangerous) heart of the Elephant Corridor as a result. Phoebe helped to record the presence and eating habits of elephants in the area and observed human behaviour around wild elephants. This taught her a lot about the surprisingly human behaviour of the elephant community and also the struggle of the farmers in their efforts to survive.

These are just two life-changing experiences that MPW students have enjoyed but many more have been on trips assisted by MPW travel scholarships. Read about their experiences in full on this page.

Each year CIFE awards prizes to students who have done exceptionally well. 36 prizes were awarded in 2015 across all CIFE colleges, so we were really proud to see MPW London students picking up 9 awards this year – our best ever haul! The picture at the foot of this article was taken on the terrace of the House of Lords, where the awards ceremony took place.

Three students won CIFE awards for Humanities and English :

Isabella Martinez-Sistac Orozco

Nicholas Rothwell joined MPW in October 2011, having previously attended Bradfield College. He completed both his GCSEs and his A Levels, leaving with grades A*AA in Religious Studies, English and Film Studies. He is currently at Edinburgh University studying English and Philosophy.

Katharine Sloane joined MPW from Aylesbury School to complete the second year of her A level course in English, History and Politics. She achieved grades AAA* and won a place to read English at the University of Leeds.

Qingyan Zhang won an Andrew Osmond Maths award. She joined MPW from China for our two-year A level course in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Economics. She achieved grades A*A*A*A, including Mathematics a year early, and maximum marks in six Mathematics units and two Physics units. Qingyan won a place to read Economics at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

Zoe Tan won a CIFE award for Social Sciences. Zoe joined MPW in January 2013 in order to follow an 18 month A Level programme. She took all four subjects to A2 and achieved grades A*A*AA in Mathematics, Economics, Chemistry and History. She is currently studying Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Alice Carter-Pegg gained a CIFE Value Added award. Alice joined MPW from Woldingham School, where she had achieved grades BDD in Economics, Mathematics and Physics. She took our intensive, short retake courses in all three A level subjects and achieved grades A*AA. Alice won a place to read Accounting and Finance at the University of East Anglia.

Mathilda Wood received the CIFE award for GCSE. She joined MPW from Sunrise Academy and took nine subjects over one year, achieving grades A*A*A*A*A*A*AAA. She is currently in her lower-sixth year at Harris Academy, Westminster.

Tuan Truong Van Nguyen received the Baroness Perry Award. She joined MPW from Churchlands School for our 18-month A level course in Economics, History of Art, Mathematics and Philosophy. She achieved grades A*A*AA and won a place to read Management at the London School of Economics.

And last but not least, Tommy Moore received the MPW college prize. Tommy joined MPW’s Year 10 in March 2013 from a school in South Africa. Despite recent illness, he worked hard both in and out of the classroom. He won the Waitrose Good Food Guide Critic competition and the Young Food Writer of the Year award. In his first year he joined the college’s Student Council and also took a significant role in the college drama production of “Teechers” followed in the second year with a stint as Chair of the Student Council where he was a real galvanising force in the charity initiative for MS UK. On top of all that, Tommy is one of our lead mentors for incoming international students.

 

Pictured above from the left are: Mathilda Wood, unknown, Tuan Van Nguyen, Tommy Moore, Alice Carter-Pegg, Nicholas Rothwell, John Southworth (MPW Vice Principal), Katharine Sloane, Zoe Tan and Isabella Orozco.