University Reference

Cornelius entered our selective Sixth Form in 2012, having previously achieved an admirable set of GCSE results at a London comprehensive school, which has since become an academy. An intelligent young man, he has made good progress throughout Year 12, achieving strong AS Levels and an outstanding A* for A Level Mathematics. Cornelius's numerical gifts will be a great asset as he pursues his degree in Economics, a field in which he is keenly interested. As a student of A Level Economics, Cornelius has made very significant progress since the start of Year 12, refining the quality of his work and exerting a positive influence on his fellow students through his good-humoured and inquisitive approach to his studies. This supported his achievement of an impressive 85% for his Unit 1 AS Level paper. An intellectually curious student, he asks searching questions of his teachers and aspires to the fullest understanding of the discipline. Eager to use his subject knowledge within a working context, Cornelius has attended insight days at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and KPMG, opportunities that he has been given by the SEO Scholars Programme. Through his membership of the Stepladder Foundation, Cornelius has also been able to quiz our local MP, Mike Gapes, on the government's spending decisions. Cornelius's accomplishments as a student of Economics have been supported by his excellence as a mathematician. His talents are particularly evident in his outstanding achievement of a 96% average across the four Core Mathematics modules. A young man whose genuine enthusiasm for the subject is evident in this positive and thoughtful approach to lessons, Cornelius is very competent at handling abstract concepts and works in an industrious and accurate way. Taking time to think through problems in a precise and careful manner, he shows high levels of motivation, and tenacity. To his credit, Cornelius is also keen to share his understanding with other students, which he does through considered spoken contributions and particularly useful questions. This year, he is studying AS and A2 Level Further Mathematics and is confidently predicted to achieve an A grade. Beyond Mathematics, Cornelius has enjoyed successes as a student of Chemistry. During the course of his studies he has acquired good skills of scientific enquiry and his impressive potential is reflected in the 81% that he achieved for Unit 1 at AS Level. In addition to his formal studies he has also taken part in the London Science and Technology Challenge at Queen Mary University. Outside of academic work, Cornelius has shown great initiative by immersing himself in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Through the Stepladder Foundation he has been able to compose and present articles to the Guardian journalist Afua Hirsch and to visit the offices of IBM Bedfont, where he learned about the services that they provide. A committed sportsman, Cornelius is a qualified Football Association Level 1 Football Coach, and has played for St Cedds and the Bealonians football clubs. During his time at Cannon Palmer Catholic School, he played for the Basketball Team, which won the Redbridge Basketball League. It is a testament to his responsibility and concern for others that, in addition to his sporting achievements, Cornelius has also attained a Football Association Safeguarding Children qualification and is a qualified first aider. Cornelius's considerable potential was recognised by his previous school, where he was encouraged to aspire to study within a leading university. Since joining our institution, he has made a very good impression upon his teachers and fellow students and we feel confident that he will thrive within a higher education institution. It is, therefore, a pleasure to recommend Cornelius to you and to give his application our warm support.