Private School News

Kingham Hill student Sam Zhu wins coveted Oxford place

Kingham Hill School is celebrating pupil Sam Zhu’s offer of a place to study Mathematics at Oxford. It is a remarkable achievement following Sam’s childhood in China where his education was disrupted as he and his mother were forced to move several times to avoid persecution for their Christian faith.

Sam came to England with the help of friends at St Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate, London. They were keen for him to have the education that he deserved and the freedom to grow in his faith. He found both at Kingham Hill School.

The Mathematics Department are thrilled for Sam and look forward to the Headmaster fulfilling his promise of dinner out in Oxford! Headmaster, Nick Seward, is delighted: “Sam has been a tremendous example to other pupils and now an inspiration as his friends see what can be achieved when a fine mind and hard work combine. However, he couldn’t have succeeded without the excellence and dedication of our team of very able teachers. Our pupils across the board are very fortunate to be taught and encouraged by such a fine team.”

Neill Stannard, master responsible for Octagon, Kingham Hill’s academic society, is as delighted as the Headmaster: “Sam is wonderful proof of what Kingham Hill – that is academically non-selective – can achieve with an able pupil. We identify our most gifted pupils and offer them specialist input, extended studies and the opportunity to attend academic lectures, argue persuasively and think creatively. We expect others to emulate Sam’s success.”

Sam will take up his place at St Hugh’s College in September. St Hugh’s was founded by Elizabeth Wordsworth in the same year as Kingham Hill – 1886. She was the great niece of the famous poet and used money left to her by her father, a bishop of Lincoln. The founder of Kingham Hill was a member of the Baring Bank family and a remarkable Christian philanthropist.