Langwith lad Christopher scores ‘top marks’ with Cambridge degree

Christopher Thomas was presented with his degree from former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at the ceremony last month.

Former Nottingham High School student Christopher studied History at Magdalene College Cambridge - where Dr Williams was appointed Master in 2013.

The 22-year-old achieved a 2.1 degree and now plans to head to London to build a career working in the media.

He said: “I was always very academic and I just thought it would be a great place to study. It’s a whole city built around a university - it was a lot of hard work but also an amazing experience.

“I was at school and my mum rang me and said that the letter from Cambridge had arrived. When I found out I’d got in I was really chuffed - I remember thinking that I’d done pretty well really.”

Magdalene College Cambridge was established in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, and former students include Samuel Pepys, Thomas Cranmer, CS Lewis, and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

Proud parents Ron and Debbie went down to Cambridge for Christopher’s graduation and Ron even got chatting with Dr Williams.

Ron said: “Christopher has worked incredibly hard to get where he has and he was determined from the off to get into either Cambridge or Oxford, ever since he joined his school.

“It was a really surreal situation being there and talking to the former Archbishop of Canterbury who is also from South Wales like me.”

The family are looking to another celebration next year when daughter Ami graduates from Cardiff University.