James will be studying Sustainable Urban Design and Planning at Oxford Brookes University after achieving the A-Level grades he needed.

James joined King's Ely Senior in Year 9 from St Faith's School in Cambridge. He studied Economics, Geography, and Music at A-Level.

James is having a gap year before joining University in 2026. He said: "During my gap year, I will be working a couple of part-time jobs to gain both money and experience in multiple fields of work. This includes coaching at the trampoline club that I have trained at for many years. I have also completed some work experience relevant to my University course, with a third week lined up in October. I also intend to make a couple of recreational trips to the French Alps for some downhill skiing through the winter."

When asked what he plans to do career wise, James said: "I am not entirely sure yet, but maybe something down the line of transport planning."

To describe King's in three words, James chose "exceptional, friendly, fun".

When asked what the teaching and learning environment is like at King's, James said: "All of my teachers were incredibly supportive and encouraging, providing additional help and one-on-one support if I was struggling with a topic or an exam technique. In addition to the dedication shown by my subject teachers, the Learning Support Team provided further advice, helping me to explore different learning strategies, as well as providing me with dictation software due to my recent Dyslexia diagnosis."

James was appointed a School Prefect and a House Prefect in Year 13. He said: "A Prefect role gives a big responsibility to act as a role model to younger students, so this was an excellent opportunity to show maturity and commitment to the school through my final year at King’s."

James was heavily involved in Music at King's, and he describes the Creative Arts here as of an "immensely high standard".

James said: "The Music Department was always a welcoming space, where I could toot my trumpet as loudly as possible! I greatly enjoyed the ensemble opportunities that King’s provided, including Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, and Jazz Band. These groups regularly performed in concerts throughout the year. My favourite school performances though were with the Brass Ensemble during Cathedral services, most notably the Remembrance Service and Christmas Service, whether it was belting out Mr Porter-Thaw’s Coe Fen Fanfare, or solemnly sounding out the Last Post each year. King’s Music spreads beyond the school grounds too, as for the past few Christmas’s, a small group of brass musicians, including myself, have busked around both Ely and Cambridge city centres, raising money for various charities. Finally, I would like to thank Mr Sedgwick, who has enhanced my musical skills a great deal since joining King’s, but before that as well whilst I was at St Faith's. To sum it up, King’s Music really has it all."

James also relished in outdoor learning and activities at King's, organised through our unique programme, Ely Scheme.

He said: "I was heavily involved with the Ely Scheme Department, thriving as a Junior Instructor through both Years 11 and 12, before being selected for the role of Head Pupil Instructor in Year 13. This process taught me so many important life skills, including how to work and effectively communicate within a team of fellow instructors, but it also taught me how to pass on skills such as communication and initiative to other people, which is incredibly valuable going forward in life. Many thanks to Mr Houlston and Mr Wyndham-Smith for the opportunities that Ely Scheme created."

When asked what he will miss most about King's, James said: "I will really miss the inter-House competitions, especially House Music and Sword and Dagger, both of which I thrived in as part of a successful Wilkinson Team (good luck to them this year!). I enjoyed how busy the school was - there was always something unusual or unique happening across the campus!"

James added: "Although the academic side of school life is extremely important, always consider all of the other elements of school life that intertwine to create a thriving community like that of King’s. There is no place quite like it!"

Congratulations James - enjoy your gap year and keep in touch!