Talented Tehan secures Oxford place
A talented Leeds student has secured a place on one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive university courses after achieving four A*s in his A-levels.
Tehan, a student at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), will follow in the footsteps of Harold Wilson, William Hague and Malala Yousafzai when he takes up his place to study philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) at Oxford in October. Each year, around 1,800 applicants vie for around 260 places on the course, which is renowned as the degree that has produced dozens of world leaders. Tehan is one of six GSAL students heading to Oxbridge this year.
Alongside an outstanding academic performance, Tehan has also found time to pursue a range of extra-curricular interests. He has played with City of Leeds Youth Orchestra as their lead cellist and is an advanced piano player, achieving a distinction in his post-grade 8 diploma. “I’ve been playing music since nursery,” said Tehan. “I find it such a great way to connect and build friendships and it’s a great stress reliever.” Tehan also founded the school’s politics society, achieved grade 8 with distinction in public speaking and reached the finals of the Oxford Schools Debating Competition. He is due to receive his King’s Scout Award – the highest youth achievement in the UK Scouting movement – after completing a final residential this summer.
Tehan’s achievements are all the more impressive considering his father passed away the summer before he began his A-level studies. He credits the experience with giving him perspective. “Watching my dad support my mum and advise my sister and me despite everything he was going through made many of the challenges I later faced feel far more manageable,” said Tehan. “Whether it was A-level work, university applications or balancing my other commitments, I had the clarity that all would be okay.”
Although Tehan is still unclear about his future career plans, he is adamant he wants to “do something meaningful.” At Oxford, he says he’s looking forward to “experiencing a variety of different teaching styles, meeting new people and continuing my musical activities.”
Michael Hall, Principal at GSAL, said: “Tehan is a remarkable young man with a very bright future ahead of him. We are so proud of everything he’s achieved and wish him all the very best as he embarks on his studies at Oxford.”
This year, 58% of A-levels at GSAL were awarded top A/A* grades. Fifteen pupils achieved at least three A*s, while seven students scored A*s in at least three subjects plus an A* in their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This year’s talented cohort includes three footballers of the future, twins heading to the same prestigious university to study the same course and one of the top young mathematicians in the country.
Image: GSAL student Tehan has secured a place on one of the world’s most prestigious university courses after achieving top A-level grades.