Alex has always enjoyed the challenge of maths, particularly problems that require creativity and persistence. During his time at Tonbridge, he has taken every opportunity to explore the subject beyond the curriculum – experiences that have helped prepare him for high-level national and international competitions.

He is studying Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science and Further Mathematics at A Level. 

Alex recently won a gold medal in the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad. Hosted by Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury, the competition provided a demanding but supportive setting for top-level problem solving. Across each stage, Alex and his teammates demonstrated not only advanced mathematical skill, but also the calm teamwork essential when time is short and the questions are designed to stretch even the strongest candidates. A perfect score is rare at this level and reflects both technical accuracy and the discipline to keep thinking clearly under pressure.

Following  team success in the second round and  his perfect score, he attended the UKMT BMO Training Camp at Trinity College, Cambridge,  has and advanced to the final selection stage for the UK’s 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team.

This recent success follows a track record of individual brilliance on the international stage. In Year 12, he achieved something that only a handful of students worldwide can claim: a fourth gold medal at the IMO, with previous gold medal success in 2021, 2023 and 2024. In the 66-year history of the Olympiad, only eight students have ever achieved four gold medals, placing Alex in a truly exceptional category.

The IMO is widely regarded as the pinnacle of school-level mathematics. Each country selects a team of just six students, meaning that taking part is itself a remarkable achievement. To win gold not once but repeatedly requires a rare combination of depth, creativity and stamina. Alex’s performances have also earned him a place near the top of the IMO all-time rankings, placing him second in the competition’s “hall of fame”, a testament to consistent excellence over multiple years.

Alex reflects on what makes these competitions especially rewarding, “In competitions like the IMO, other than the mathematical aspect of it with various interesting problems to solve, I also enjoy meeting other people sharing the same passion as me for maths. It is nice seeing how everyone’s mind works differently.”

That sense of curiosity also shapes how Alex trains. In his spare time, he seeks out challenging problems to keep his mind sharp, sometimes recreating competition conditions to practise working under pressure, “I often find maths problems to do to keep my mind exercised. Sometimes I do the problems under stricter conditions too to model a real competition.”

He is equally appreciative of the environment at Tonbridge, which has supported his development both academically and socially. “Tonbridge’s Arcana Society keeps me engaged in maths weekly, and the students also help create a mathematical environment for me to work in”, he says, highlighting the importance of shared enthusiasm and peer support alongside formal teaching.

Deputy Head of Mathematics, Ben Katz, notes that what sets Alex apart is not only his ability, but the way he approaches difficulty. He describes Alex as someone who genuinely enjoys the most demanding problems – the ones that require patience, imagination and multiple attempts – and who is just as happy discussing ideas with others as he is working independently. In the classroom and beyond, Alex’s enthusiasm has been infectious, helping to raise the level of mathematical ambition around him and encouraging younger pupils to see challenge as something to embrace.

As Alex looks ahead to future competitions and academic opportunities, the School will be watching with pride. His success is not only an individual triumph but also a celebration of what academic ambition can look like at Tonbridge School: rigorous, joyful, collaborative and world-class.

Owen Elton, Head of Mathematics, describes Alex as, “an exceptionally rare mathematical talent who frequently leaves boys and staff speechless with the sheer speed, clarity, and computational precision of his deductive process. It is truly a once-in-a-career privilege to teach him. His humility and sense of humour don’t give away his extraordinary achievements on the world stage; two silver and four gold medals in International Mathematical Olympiads. No competitor has ever won a seventh medal, so the Tonbridge community will be keeping a keen eye on news from July’s competition in Shanghai.”

His Housemaster, Nick Rendall, echoes that sense of perspective, praising not only Alex’s intellect but his character within the House community, “Alex’s ability in mathematics is undoubtedly remarkable, but within the House environment, what I find particularly impressive is his humility. He is a young man with a prodigious talent, yet he is incredibly self-effacing, calm and modest about all that he has achieved.”

Asked what advice he would give younger pupils hoping to follow a similar path, Alex keeps it simple, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to succeed, just give it your all and hope for the best. Practice makes perfect.”