Back-to-Back Physics Olympiad Success for Sixth Form College Stars
The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College is celebrating a second consecutive year of outstanding success in the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Senior Physics Challenge, with not one, but two students now placing in the top five nationally.
This year, Charles Mogbo, aged 16 and in his first year of college, stunned examiners and secured 2nd place in the UK, ranking among the best out of more than 6,000 A Level students who entered the notoriously difficult national challenge. His incredible achievement follows in the footsteps of Jahin Khan, who placed in the top 5 nationally in the same competition just last year.
Both students were personally invited to the Royal Society in London – one of the most prestigious scientific institutions in the world – where they were congratulated by BPhO Chairman Robin Hughes and enjoyed lectures delivered by world-leading academics.
Charles, who is currently studying five A Levels (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths), is part of the College’s High Achievers Programme and is aiming to apply to Cambridge University in September to study Medicine.
Commenting on the lecture, Charles said:
It was fascinating to see how such small biological machines can be more complex than we ever imagined.
Last year, Jahin Khan, now in Year 13, attended the same event at the Royal Society after achieving a remarkable 80% raw score, earning a Gold Award and ranking in the top 5 students in the UK. He commented:
I was really pleased to learn that I had achieved another Gold Award in a BPhO Year 12 competition, but when I found out that I had been ranked in the top 5 nationally, I was in shock.
Rachel Higton, Potteries Educational Trust Science Lead and Physics Teacher at the College, praised both students and the wider cohort:
I am so proud of all my students’ performances in this notoriously difficult exam. They worked immensely hard, using past papers for months and showing incredible resilience throughout. To be invited to the BPhO Awards at the Royal Society two years in a row is a huge honour and reflects the talent and determination of our learners.
Dee Patel, Assistant Director of STEM at the Sixth Form College, added:
These back-to-back national successes are a fantastic testament to the dedication of our staff, the strength of our Physics department, and the opportunities we provide to stretch and challenge our students. Whether they’re aiming for Medicine, Engineering or other competitive fields, we ensure our learners have every opportunity to shine.
Across both years, all students studying A Level Physics at the College were entered into the BPhO Senior Online Physics Challenge, with many achieving gold, silver and bronze awards. In 2024 alone, seven students placed in the top 7% nationally, proving the College continues to be a hub for academic excellence in STEM.
These outstanding results demonstrate the strength of the A Level Physics course at the College. Students benefit from expert teaching, access to national competitions, and a curriculum that builds the skills and knowledge needed for success in STEM careers and top university applications.
Whether students are aiming for degrees in Physics, Medicine, Engineering or beyond, this course provides the right support and stretch to help them achieve their goals.