Last year, for the first time in our school’s history, a group of Year 12 students took part in the Year 12 Senior Physics Challenge. This year, four of those students (now in Year 13) chose to enter the highly competitive Round 1 of the British Physics Olympiad, the first step in selecting the UK team for the International Physics Olympiad.
A total of 3,777 students from 550 schools across the UK took on the challenge, tackling two gruelling 80-minute exams. Earning a certificate in the BPhO is a national-level achievement, marking students as outstanding physics problem solvers.
The Cockermouth School students performed exceptionally:
Alex T-J achieved a Top Gold certificate, placing him among the top 4% of entrants nationwide. This outstanding result earned him the opportunity to sit the Round 2 competition paper.
Danny W secured a Gold certificate, placing him in the top 17%.
Samuel G earned a Silver certificate, ranking in the top 40%.
James R achieved a Bronze Level 1 certificate, placing him in the top 62% of entrants.
Following the three-hour Round 2 exam on Thursday, Alex emerged with a smile, saying he had ‘really enjoyed it’! He now awaits the results of his performance at this elite level.
We are immensely proud of these four students and their phenomenal achievements.
Meanwhile, current Year 12 students are being encouraged to take on the challenge and continue the school’s emerging tradition of excellence in physics.