
The head of Brighton College has turned down an offer of a place at Cambridge University to continue his education across the pond.
Shaun Pexton achieved five A* grades in chemistry, physics, maths, maths and history, and is one of 16 Sussex college students who chose to study in America instead of the UK.
Shaun has accepted an offer to study at Yale University and will be joined by two other students from Brighton College, Kieran Malandain and Matias Paz Linares.
Last year Shaun swam the Channel to raise money for mental health charity YoungMinds.
He said: “I spent my younger years in Hong Kong and Singapore, and now I’m going to Yale University in the US, but my roots will always be here in Brighton and I know my years at Brighton College will remain . some of the best of my life.”
This year, 60% of grades at Brighton College were A*s, with 79 students achieving at least three A*s.
The last time the exams were held, Brighton College was the best co-educational school in England and was named UK School of the Decade by the Sunday Times.
College principal Richard Cairns said: “It was always going to be a challenge for this year’s cohort as they had no previous experience of GCSE exams, so it’s wonderful that they rose to the challenge, breaking the record on 2019 when the exams were last held.in person.
“Almost all Brighton College students have secured places at top universities.
“Twenty-four Oxbridge offers were received, but there has been a real shift in emphasis to the US, with 16 to North America.”