Kingsley student Isabel has been awarded the coveted ‘Top in the World’ Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award for her exceptional performance in the June 2024 Cambridge International examinations. This prestigious award acknowledges Isabel’s remarkable achievement as the highest scorer in the world in the Fashion and Textiles Cambridge O Level exam.
The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards programme celebrates students who have excelled in Cambridge examinations across more than 40 countries. Isabel’s outstanding success in fashion and textiles demonstrates her creativity, skill and dedication to her craft. The award not only highlights her individual achievement, but also reflects the high level of support and guidance provided by her teachers at Kingsley.
Dr Sarah Howling, Headteacher, expressed her pride in Isabel’s achievement: “We are incredibly proud of Isabel and this outstanding achievement. She is a remarkably talented creative, whose dedication and passion for textiles, fashion, and design shine through in everything she does. Her success reflects her hard work, resilience, and pursuit of excellence, and we are delighted to celebrate her well-earned recognition.”
Isabel’s final grade was based on both her practical work and a theory exam. Reflecting on her coursework, she shared the inspiration behind her creations: “For my project, I designed a bag and a corset. The bag featured decorative crochet panels and was constructed in the style of the Marc Jacobs Teddy Tote. The corset, which I created for a festival, was made with neon colours and included quilting, dying and patchwork techniques.”
Isabel’s passion for textiles is rooted in personal experience, and her love for crochet played a significant role in her designs. “I’ve been inspired by the bright, bold outfits I see at festivals and concerts,” she said. “I wanted to include an element of crochet somewhere as it’s where my love for textiles originated. A few years ago, I opened a small business account on Instagram, where I have sold some of my creations, won competitions and been featured on larger brand websites such as Hobbycraft. These experiences have all played a part in my designs and contributed to my success.”
When asked how she felt upon winning the award, Isabel expressed her pride and excitement: “It feels amazing to have received this recognition. Textiles has been my passion since I was young, and I hope to pursue it further, potentially as a career. I put so much effort into my coursework and revision, and it feels incredibly rewarding to see it all pay off.”
The Senior Schools Development Manager for International Education at Cambridge also extended her congratulations to Isabel and the school, saying: “Congratulations to the learners and teachers at The Kingsley School for their hard work and dedication. Cambridge qualifications equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their future endeavours, and we wish Isabel and her peers the very best as they continue to pursue their goals.”
Isabel officially received her award during a school ceremony on 31 January. We are proud to celebrate her outstanding achievement and look forward to her future successes in the world of fashion and textiles.