My name is Arlen Chu. I joined Brampton for the one-year GCSE course and stayed through A Levels, and I’m finishing the two year course feeling grateful for how much I’ve grown, achieving A*A*A*A* at A Level and confirming my place to study Computer Science at Imperial College London.
I chose Brampton for its small classes and serious results, but also for the way it treats you as an individual. Coming from Hong Kong’s fast-paced, highly competitive system, I wanted a more personal approach where questions are encouraged and gaps don’t get missed. At Brampton, classes rarely exceed ten students, and that intimacy changes the pace and quality of learning—you are seen, heard, and supported. Even the little things matter. Not having a school uniform made the atmosphere feel more relaxed and adult, which helped me focus on the work rather than the rules. The college’s track record for A Level success sealed the decision, and it’s a decision I’ve never once regretted.
Brampton met, and often exceeded, my expectations. The support is both academic and personal. Teachers tailor explanations, refine exam technique, and still push you to understand the why, not just the what. When you hit a wall, you can book extra tutorials and get targeted help. One moment stands out from Physics. Instead of asking us to memorise that field lines are perpendicular to equipotentials, my teacher showed us why: because no work is done moving along an equipotential, the electric field can have no component along it—so it must be perpendicular. That shift from rote learning to genuine comprehension boosted my grades and, more importantly, my confidence.
Compared to my previous school, the culture at Brampton feels different in the best way. The first-name basis removes barriers without lowering expectations. You speak up sooner, the feedback loop is faster, and the environment remains ambitious without being impersonal.
The impact goes beyond exams. Brampton helped me think critically and work with resilience, and it also gave me opportunities to grow outside the classroom. Leading a climate change research project with friends was a highlight. We spent weeks analysing data on rising sea levels, debating solutions late into the night—fuelled by questionable cafeteria coffee—and presenting our findings to the school. Seeing our peers engage with the issue, ask questions, and share ideas reminded me how powerful teamwork can be. Mentoring an AS Further Maths student also taught me patience and the joy of lightbulb moments; watching them master complex integrals felt as rewarding as solving them myself. These experiences, alongside strong teaching, have set me up well for Imperial.
To anyone considering Brampton, I’d say this. If you want high expectations paired with genuine support and individual attention, you’ll find it here. Be ready to engage, ask questions, and use the help on offer, you’ll go far. Choosing Brampton was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I wouldn’t change it.
Finally, a message to my teachers. Thank you for your patience, clarity, and belief. I know I constantly bothered you with questions and loved to challenge your explanations, but I’m deeply grateful for every extra tutorial, every careful proof, and every nudge to think harder. I couldn’t have done this without you, and I hope we get to cross paths again, preferably when I’m not asking for yet another past-paper walkthrough.
(Photo of Arlen on the annual college ski trip)
