Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
STUDENTS at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, have achieved strong A-level results, with more than 95 per cent of grades at A*–B for the 19th consecutive year.
Among the 173 final-year students, over half achieved A* grades, and nearly a quarter of the year group earned straight A*s.
This year’s results follow a series of university offers, including 62 from Oxford and Cambridge—a new record for the school. Additionally, 55 per cent of students secured places at universities ranked in the World Top 5 by QS, and 22 of the UK’s 24 Russell Group universities made offers to the students, a statement said.
A total of 582 students sat at A-levels, an increase of 40 compared to last year. While economics, mathematics, and the sciences remained popular, there was also increased interest in other subjects, including english, music, philosophy, government and politics, and product design.
More than half of all grades were at the highest A*. (Photo: Eleanor Bentall)
Year 13 students at the school have excelled in various extra-curricular activities. Two robotics teams represented Britain at the Battle for Vegas, being the only non-North American teams to participate in the VEX event.
In music, Arjun Patel, Nathan Woodcock, and Tharun Dhamodharan reached the national final of the Pro Corda chamber music festival as part of an under-19 saxophone quintet.
Shivam Singh, Yash Patel, and Om Patel won a design competition hosted by Homerton College, Cambridge, with a project aimed at protecting construction workers’ hearing.
Headmaster Neil Enright expressed his congratulations to the students, acknowledging their hard work and determination. He highlighted how the students embraced various extra-curricular opportunities through the school’s QE Flourish programme, contributing to their success in gaining such prestigious university offers.
Enright also noted the role of the QE Futures programme in helping students prepare academically and develop broader skills and interests. He emphasised that while outstanding results are a key outcome, they are not the sole purpose of an education at QE.
“This year sees the opening of a new studio for drama and oracy; there has been much focus on helping students communicate orally, alongside being able to communicate in writing in projects and exams. We also have ambitious plans for future investments into sports facilities, following on from new facilities for music and robotics in recent years," he added.
"We are delighted to be welcoming them into our fast-developing alumni community, QE Connect, which provides them with opportunities to support one another in their future endeavours and to continue to help those following in their footsteps."
Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage speaks to assembled media outside Southwark Crown Court following the sentencing of Fayaz Khan on October 14, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
REFORM UK is making unexpected headway among British Indian voters, with support more than trebling since the general election, according to a new research from Oxford academics.
The 1928 Institute, which studies the British Indian community, found that backing for Nigel Farage's party has jumped from just four per cent at the last election to 13 per cent now.
While this remains lower than Reform's support across the wider UK, the growth rate is far steeper than the national trend, suggesting the party is winning over voters in groups where it has typically struggled, reported the Guardian.
The research, released around the time of Diwali celebrations, highlighted how Britain's largest ethnic minority group is becoming an increasingly important group of swing voters.
The Indian community, making up roughly three per cent of the British population, was historically closely tied to Labour, seen as more welcoming to immigrants in the post-war decades.
However, this bond has weakened as the community has become more settled and developed new political priorities. Many British Indian voters, particularly among Hindu communities, have shifted to more traditionally conservative views on social issues and national identity, drawing them further to the right politically.
The research team surveyed over 2,000 voters earlier this year and compared results with previous elections. At the last general election, 48 per cent of British Indians backed Labour, 21 per cent voted Conservative, and four per cent chose Reform. Five years earlier, Reform had secured just 0.4 per cent of the British Indian vote.
Labour support has dropped to 35 per cent, while Tory backing has fallen sharply to 18 per cent. Support for the Green Party has climbed significantly, reaching 13 per cent compared with eight per cent at the election, particularly among younger voters.
Researchers found that British Indian voters' priorities have shifted substantially. Education remains their top concern, but their second-biggest worry has changed from health five years ago to the economy now. Crime now ranks as their third priority, replacing environmental concerns that previously ranked higher.
One co-author of the study, Nikita Ved, noted that "Reform UK's rise is disrupting traditional voting patterns within the British Indian community. As economic and social frustrations deepen, both major parties may face growing pressure to engage more directly with a community whose political loyalties can no longer be taken for granted."
The findings come at a time when Farage has taken a mixed stance on South Asian migration, criticising recent government policies that he said make it easier to hire workers from India, while previously expressing a preference for Indian and Australian migrants over those from Eastern Europe.
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