Top Scholar 2022: Isabella Sim

Isabella Sim, 17, head girl at Godolphin and Latymer School, London

Isabella Sim is a bursary student and head girl at Godolphin and Latymer School, an academically selective day school for girls aged 11-18 in west London. Having moved to Britain from New Zealand at the age of seven, Isabella went to a state primary from where she gained her place at Godolphin and Latymer at 11.

‘I was the only girl from my state school that came here,’ Isabella says, ‘it was a daunting experience entering into a massive school and getting lost in all the corridors. But I felt grown-up too. Sitting in assembly on the first day, I realised I was among like-minded girls who all had their own passions.’

For Isabella, that came to include playing netball in a London league and swimming competitively for her county, as well as taking up the piano.

Academically, the pace of the school suited her well, and she achieved 11 GCSEs. Now, Isabella is sitting maths, biology, chemistry and economics for A-level and writing an EPQ examining ways to conserve coral reefs.

Potential university destinations include Cambridge, UCL and Loughborough. Her future plan is to study chemical engineering, aiming to work for an organisation involved with the UN sustainable development goals. Godolphin and Latymer has been the launch pad needed.

‘Coming here gave me space to dream and opportunities I didn’t know existed. I’d like to think other girls will see my story and feel anything is possible for them too.’

See Godolphin and Latymer’s online listing here.