Student Story｜Achieving the Highest Score in China for GCSE Business: How Hannah Found Her Path to Transformation at Harrow Beijing

Following the release of the 2025 GCSE results, the name of Hannah L, a Year 12 student at Harrow Beijing (equivalent to Grade 11 in the Chinese local system), has come into the spotlight. With her exceptional performance, she secured the Highest Score in China for GCSE Business.

Facing the glory of being a “Top Scorer,” one might naturally assume this is a story of a gifted student’s smooth and effortless journey. However, in front of the camera, Hannah displays a level of candour and composure that far exceeds her years.

She frankly admits that there are no hidden secrets behind her success. In fact, when she first joined Harrow Beijing in Year 7, her grades were far from ideal; one might even say they were quite poor. It was then that Hannah’s journey of self-reinvention began. From the confusion of those early days to the confidence she radiates today, Hannah has dedicated six years of her educational journey to this remarkable transformation.

Mentors and Friends
When Boring Concepts are Ignite

Looking back on this journey, Hannah first mentions the person who influenced her the most—her Business teacher, Mr. Wu. To many students, business concepts are often full of obscure jargon and can be dry and boring. However, in Mr. Wu’s class, these concepts are transformed into vivid and interesting case studies.

This teaching style not only sparked Hannah’s interest in learning but also made every Business lesson fun and enjoyable. At Harrow Beijing, education is not just a one-way transmission of knowledge, but a mutual journey of engagement between teachers and students.

Whether in the classroom or via messages on Teams after school, teachers are always willing to pause and patiently answer every specific question or difficulty students face. This seamless support network became the solid backing that empowered Hannah to aim for the highest score.

All-Around Support
Making Every Effort Count

Beyond the guidance of mentors, the rich resources provided by the school ensured that Hannah’s every effort yielded results. She recalls that before the GCSE exams, the school organized “Saturday School,” covering every subject. It was her busiest yet most fulfilling time; she often used these sessions to complete her DT projects or dive deep into business models with her teachers.

Furthermore, the well-stocked library, the independent learning zones found throughout the campus, and the various online learning resources shared by teachers all provided an environment where she could calm her mind and think deeply. Here, she could always find a quiet corner to organize her thoughts and reflect.

Rejecting Self-Doubt
Winning with Mindset and Method

Of course, the process of growth is not always smooth sailing. Hannah admits that stress was once her biggest enemy. Like many Harrow students, she fell into the trap of “overthinking” before exams, worrying about missing her target grades. But gradually, she learned to take a step back: when anxiety struck, instead of fixating on potential negative outcomes, she looked back at every step she had already taken, focusing on her tangible progress.

Regarding study methods, Hannah also summarized a set of highly efficient strategies. She emphasizes that instead of mindlessly drilling questions, one should return to the specification (syllabus), as it is the concentrated map of all knowledge points.

She strongly advises younger students to “master” the model answers from past papers, analyzing the examiner’s logic and phrasing. Often, even if the logic is correct, non-standard expression can still lead to a loss of marks.

Final Thoughts

Even if your current grades haven’t reached your expectations, don’t be discouraged.  Starting now, believe in yourself, ask questions, and practice—you will eventually arrive at the destination you desire.
——Hannah

Hannah’s story is a microcosm of
Harrow Beijing’s holistic education philosophy:
We do not define the starting point;
We only strive to ignite the infinite possibilities within every child.