A SCHOOL in Sherborne is celebrating a remarkable double success after identical twins were both offered places at Oxford University.

Johnny and Tom from Sherborne Boys have secured offers for the next academic year, marking an exceptional achievement for the school and adding a unique twist to this year’s university results.

Johnny has been offered a place to read history and politics at Magdalen College, while his twin brother Tom has received an offer to study theology and religion at St John’s College.

Housemaster, William Mackenzie-Green, praised the pair’s achievements and character, saying: “When an exceptional young person does brilliant things, we all sit up and take note.

“But when two exceptional young brothers continually do brilliant things, they become remarkable. Johnny and Tom are two outstanding young men.

“They are ferociously bright and have a hunger to learn and understand the world around them. But beyond this they are also two thoroughly decent young men – kind, considerate, quirky and stacked full of personality.”

Both twins have made a significant contribution to life at Sherborne Boys, embracing opportunities well beyond the classroom.

Alongside his academic studies, Johnny founded Civic Shift, a political non-profit organisation focused on improving youth civic engagement and strengthening the relationship between young people and democracy in the UK.

He is also head boy and captain of the school’s Fives team.

Tom serves as chapel and charity prefect, is deputy head of house and plays for the First XI cricket team.

Both brothers are members of the England Under-18 Fly Fishing team and are involved in music, debating and a wide range of other school activities.

Twins Tom and Johnny

Despite their success, the twins remain modest about their achievements.

Johnny said: “I think the result speaks more for others than me, so I am therefore immensely thankful to everyone who helped me succeed in this process.”

Tom added: “‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.’ With the above in mind, I have profound gratitude for those who have enabled me to realise this stage in my theological and personal journey.”

Headmaster of Sherborne Boys Simon Heard said: “Johnny and Tom’s success is a wonderful reflection not only of their intellectual curiosity and academic discipline, but of the generosity of spirit with which they approach everything they do.

“They have embraced school life in the fullest sense – leading and contributing far beyond the classroom in a very impressive year group.

“We are immensely proud of them and all our fabulous boys who have applied across the spectrum of universities and courses this year – we are delighted to see all their talents and hard work recognised in many fantastic offers such as these.”

The twins will now join another pair of identical Old Shirburnian twins, Otis and Max, who are currently studying at Oxford.

Deputy Head (Sixth Form) Alex Boyd-Williams added: “There can’t be too many schools in the world where two sets of identical twins have successfully received offers from Oxford within two years!”