My alarm goes off at 6.50am each morning in preparation to make the 7.38am train from my local station, propelling me to school for around 8.15am.

I arrive in good time for the 8.30am tutor slot as I live considerably further than most of my friends. I’ll usually convene in the atrium with pupils in my year who have come in early for a variety of different reasons, perhaps a history reading group or a meeting for their Young Enterprise group. As the clock approaches 8.30am, I head to my tutor group.

The morning tutor session is usually a quick registration before heading off to assembly or club meeting. If none of the above is scheduled for that morning then the tutor session consists of a half hour converse with my fellow tutees and tutor. This time is absolutely vital to the success of the school as the knowledge and wisdom gained by the older students throughout their time at the school can be passed on to the younger tutees in the group. Tips and advice are offered to them all which enhances their school experience as much as possible.

After assembly, club meetings or the tutor session, I commence my 8 lessons and studies for the four A-Levels that I have chosen. I’ll either head to the state-of-the-art science blocks, with labs equipped with tools fit for an undergraduate or to the recently finished general teaching block. In the eighth form years, the classes are much smaller, allowing for a much more mature teaching experience compared to the younger years. It is also great to now be studying the four subjects that I love in so much more detail and depth than before. One of my favourite things about St Paul’s School certainly has to be its attitude towards teaching. Not only are we prepared for upcoming public exams meticulously, but plenty of time is also reserved to explore outside and beyond the syllabus and quench our thirst for further scholarship. This, I feel, really defines St Paul’s as a school, not only focused on achieving some of the top grades across the country but also maintaining the sense of scholarship that exists in the school.

After Period 5 is lunch. As a 1st XV rugby player, most of my lunches are filled with training in order to prepare for the weekly Saturday fixture against one of the big boarding school rivals such as Eton, Harrow or Tonbridge. The thing I love about rugby is the friendships and bonds it creates with my teammates. This was especially important when I was in the fourth form and new to the school as my rugby team fostered the relationships with some of my best mates who I still have today.

If I’m not occupied with rugby training at lunch, I’ll usually be involved in the running of EcoSoc, the new society which I am on the committee of. This society is newly founded and is attempting to increase environmental awareness through organising a range of high profile speakers from around the country to come and speak at school. On the rare occasion that I do have a free lunch, I’ll get on with some work in the modern library. In comparison to many pupils here, I do a relatively small variety of activities due to rugby taking up so much time, but this is unbelievably rewarding when we manage to go to Tonbridge and get a win away from home!

After three more periods after lunch, it’s time to go home at 4.15pm, unless I have more rugby training or a meeting to discuss the progress of our Young Enterprise project. When I get home, I tend to complete my homework or do some extra reading around my subjects. Once I’ve finished this, I will conclude my day with a relaxing game of FIFA before heading for an early sleep in preparation for another busy and fulfilling day at St Paul’s School.

Tom – Lower Eighth pupil