Exeter School pupil achieves highest marks in the country in A-Level Electronics and Applied Science

Exeter School pupil David Salmon achieved the highest marks in the country in A Level Electronics and Applied Science.

The 2013 Exeter School leaver received 595 UMS marks out of 600, the highest of all candidates who studied Electronics and Applied Science with the exam board, WJEC, in 2013.

The Chief Executive of WJEC, Mr Gareth Pierce, said this was an outstanding achievement and evidence of the hard work of David and his teachers in preparing him for the assessment.

Head of Electronics Department Dr Houghton, said David was a outstandingly able and hardworking pupil who took on an extremely ambitious project as part of his A2 Electronics.

“He designed and successfully tested a 2D plotter, showing great determination and independence throughout, and great potential as a future engineer. This involved building all the hardware electronics to drive the motors and writing the software for 4 microcontrollers to interpret user inputs and control a complex system.

“This went far beyond the normal expectations for a school level project and the 100% UMS marks that David achieved for his A2 year were very well deserved.”

David said he was completely shocked to hear of his Electronics A-level results.

“I was obviously really pleased with my grade that I received in August, but achieving the top score is unbelievable!” said David.

“I'm now at Imperial College, studying Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and I'm really enjoying it. Having done Electronics A-level, I feel that it definitely helps because I am ahead of the course in some areas which means I'm not struggling to catch up yet! I am looking forward to some of the projects we will be building this year, although I anticipate that the work will be getting much harder soon."

David and his family will attend a prize giving ceremony at WJEC’s offices in December to mark this accomplishment.

David was awarded the sought-after Arkwright Engineering Scholarship in 2011. The renowned Arkwright Engineering Scholarship provides pupils and their school with a financial award to enhance their A Level studies and increase their understanding and experience of engineering.

Seven Exeter School pupils have been awarded Arkwright scholarships in the last four years.