Bootham’s Charlie is top Chemistry A Level student in country

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Charlie Thornton, who left us this summer after A Levels, has been awarded a top academic prize for chemistry.

Charlie was given the Salter’s Advanced Chemistry Prize in honour of being the top A level student in the country for Chemistry A level (June 2023). He achieved 4 grade A * in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and further Maths.

Charlie, who is studying Physical Natural Sciences at Selwyn College, Cambridge University, was invited down to Salter’s Hall in London to receive a cheque and certificate.

This week, he also returned to Bootham to talk to those current students applying to Oxbridge.

As well as being an excellent chemist, Charlie enjoys studying astrophysics. He said: “Although my primary focus is in scientific exploration, I possess an additional passion for astrophysics. My involvement with Bootham’s Astronomy Society has allowed me to indulge in my love for the cosmos, offering guidance and support to fellow enthusiasts.”

Deneal Smith, Headteacher, said: “Charlie’s recent award for being top in the country in the Salter’s Chemistry A-level is a huge honour for Charlie and testament to the support and challenge his teachers provided last year.

“It was great to see Charlie back in school this week to share with some of our current Oxbridge applicants his experiences as a first-year Natural Sciences student at Cambridge. He is grappling with new areas of science including crystallography alongside developing more familiar topics in chemistry and physics. ”