Graduate Story | From Harrow Beijing to Cambridge, Jason J Uses Mathematics to Decode the World

At Harrow Beijing, rationality and creativity are never at odds — every unique way of thinking is respected and supported. Jason J, a graduate of Harrow Beijing’s Class of 2025, has turned his passion for mathematics and programming into a successful offer to study Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Today, we invite you to explore the growth story of this “hardcore maths student.” From once being quiet and reserved to now expressing his ideas with confidence, Jason has found his rhythm and his stage at Harrow Beijing. His path toward a dream has taken shape — guided, quite fittingly, by a 34-key custom keyboard he built by hand. Every keystroke is a firm step toward the future.

Jason J

Harrow Beijing Class of 2025

Offered by Mathematics, University of Cambridge

Joined Harrow Beijing in Year 7

Finding Persistence Through Passion

A Love for Mathematics Lights the Way

“I didn’t really revise that much, to be honest,” Jason said with a smile. It sounds like a joke, but behind his casual tone lies deep confidence. For many, mathematics represents logic and precision — but for Jason, it’s a natural language, a field he has excelled in from a young age, and a lens through which he understands the world.

Math has been his strongest subject since primary school. At Harrow Beijing, his interest evolved into a serious academic pursuit. Not only did he consistently achieve top marks in class, but he also devoted his spare time to exploring algorithms, data structures, and mathematical modelling. He even assembled a custom-built split keyboard with only 34 keys — and uses it constantly.

The 34-key keyboard Jason made by himself

“I don’t think I’m particularly gifted — I just happen to love it enough to invest time and effort,” Jason said. His humility is matched by the academic freedom and professional support offered at Harrow Beijing: here, students are not passive recipients, but active explorers. Learning is not just a goal — it’s a journey.

Six Years of Growth: A Journey of Transformation

From Fear of Speaking to Confidence in Expression

Jason joined Harrow Beijing in Year 7. At the time, he was introverted and hesitant to express himself, even afraid of public speaking. Six years later, not only did he confidently complete the rigorous Cambridge interview process, but he also earned a Distinction in the Grade 8 LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) Public Speaking exam, and sat in front of a camera for an interview with ease.

There was a time when I couldn’t speak in front of people, and now I can clearly articulate my thoughts. That transformation is almost unbelievable.

Behind this change is the holistic education philosophy at Harrow Beijing, where students are encouraged to try everything — from LAMDA courses to student societies, academic talks, and competitions. Through these experiences, Jason gradually built his confidence and communication skills.

Harrow gives us a lot of freedom, especially from the Sixth Form onward — we get to make many of our own decisions. In such an environment of autonomy, I discovered my true passions and continued to push his boundaries.

Academic Atmosphere and Deep Friendships

Building a Future Through Shared Passion

When asked why he chose Harrow Beijing, Jason didn’t mention the curriculum first — he talked about the academic atmosphere. Friends played a big role in shaping his experience. Here, he found peers who were both fun and academically driven. They could spend two hours discussing the philosophy of consciousness and then burst out laughing during a break. “It’s rare to find people like that — ones you genuinely enjoy spending time with, and who also motivate you to study seriously.”

Surrounded by such friends and a culture of intellectual freedom, Jason steadily grew into the best version of himself. He chose the most STEM-intensive A Level combination: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics. “Only A Levels allow me to study just the subjects I love,” he said proudly. Beyond his core subjects, he also pursued EPQ and LAMDA, both of which played a key role in his university application and interviews. Though he expected to freeze during the interviews, Harrow provided multiple rounds of mock sessions — especially group discussions — which helped him practise thinking on the spot and articulating his views clearly. As a result, his real interviews went smoothly.

Growing in a Classroom That Feels Like a Friendship

A Tribute to His Most Influential Harrow Teacher

When speaking about the Harrow teacher who influenced him most, Jason said, “Our mathematics teacher had a real talent for combining learning with fun. Our class achieved a 100% A–A* rate in the most recent mock exam, and I believe that’s largely thanks to the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere in the classroom—everyone genuinely enjoyed the learning process.”

In this teacher’s classroom, students not only excelled academically but once even organised a special event — a “mathematical concert” during maths class. Behind the light-hearted atmosphere was the teacher’s deep understanding of his students and skilful guidance, helping each one absorb knowledge joyfully and grow through their interests.

“He never taught in a rigid way. He made learning fun, and that made our understanding stronger,” Jason added. This wasn’t just the charm of one class — it’s a reflection of the close student–teacher relationships at Harrow Beijing.

Here, teachers are more than academic mentors — they are companions on the path of personal growth. They respect individuality, encourage depth of thought, and create an environment where students feel safe asking for help when they need it.

Jason’s story may not be filled with dramatic twists and turns — no meteoric rise or sudden breakthroughs — but in every detail, it speaks to Harrow Beijing’s respect, trust, and support for every student’s personal journey. From a boy once afraid to speak, to a young scholar walking into his Cambridge interview with quiet confidence, Jason has built a rational world through mathematics — and through his actions, reminds us: at Harrow Beijing, every unique growth path is gently nurtured, and every passionate pursuit is truly supported.