Creativity

Kwabena studied English Literature, History and Politics at Woodhouse College from 2018 to 2020. With support from Woodhouse’s Oxbridge Academy, he went on to study History and Politics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
He now researches Sub-Saharan African geopolitics at a think tank and published his debut novel, Ministry Of Troubled Scholars, in 2025.

When did you attend Woodhouse, and which A levels did you study?

I attended Woodhouse College between August 2018 and March 2020 (just as the pandemic started). I studied English Literature, History, and Politics for my A-Levels.

What made you choose Woodhouse?

When I was in secondary school, I was looking around and had applied to lots of top sixth forms across London. Because my old school was very small and did not offer certain subjects or opportunities, I wanted a sixth form that would be able to support me in my next steps, and Woodhouse was recommended to me by a teacher who used to work with me one-on-one. She told me that some of my school's most successful students went on to study there, and after having a look at it online, I saw that the college was also extremely popular. So after attending the Open Day during summer, I chose to enrol after I received my GCSE results.

What did you enjoy most about your time here? Are there any memories, teachers or experiences that stand out?

Something that really stood out to me about Woodhouse was how passionate the teachers were about their subjects. In particular - A-Level History was a very new subject to me. I hadn't studied it for GCSE, but I remember Dr. Jones bringing every Cold War lesson to life in a way I had never previously experienced. As well as this, I can recall spending lunch breaks and free periods with friends in the social area, in the dance studio, and on the benches in the quad when the weather was good!

How did Woodhouse help you prepare for your next steps?

I remember being accepted into Woodhouse's 'Oxbridge Academy' during my first term - an extracurricular society that took place on Wednesday afternoons. I had never considered studying at Oxford or Cambridge before, but many of the teachers and support staff at Woodhouse - alongside some of my closest friends - helped me to imagine it as a possibility. In February 2019, I had the exciting opportunity to visit Christ Church, Oxford as part of the 'Horizons' programme, and this was extremely pivotal in my decision to then make a competitive application to Oxbridge when I entered Year 13. As well as this, through the college, I was able to take part in a two-week work experience programme at one of the top law firms in London, which largely helped to shape my career ambitions too.

What did you go on to do after leaving?

My time at Woodhouse College was cut short in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown. But following A-Level results day in 2020, I then went on to study BA History and Politics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. I graduated in 2023 with an Upper Second Class Honours (and a First Class in my African Politics module!)

What are you doing now, and what do you enjoy most about it?

Currently, I work in research and policy analysis at a start-up think tank that focuses on providing its clients with geopolitical insights. I'm part of the Sub-Saharan Africa desk, and I work alongside analysts based in various countries (such as France, South Africa, and Nigeria). I really enjoy getting to grips with current developments happening within Africa specifically, as well as outlining and explaining the political theories that inform them. The workload can definitely be challenging at times, and there are often quick turnarounds, but my role is intellectually stimulating and positively challenging overall.

What achievement or experience since leaving are you most proud of?

Last year, in September 2025, I published my first book titled 'Ministry Of Troubled Scholars'. In one sentence - it's set in the late 1980s, and it's about a young man who gets sent to a boarding school after his own friends try to murder him. Although the book is fictional, I take a lot of inspiration from many things that happened within my own childhood, and I also use it to ask challenging questions regarding the education system in the UK as a whole. This book has taken me on quite the journey - I've gone into schools to speak to students about my experiences within education, appeared on podcast conversations centred around the book's themes, and even sent copies to some of the largest and most prestigious libraries in the UK.

This year, in October 2026, I am preparing to publish my second novel, 'Destiny And The Stool'. Compared to my first novel, this one is shorter, sweeter, and more contemporary, focusing on a young black woman who falls in love with an architect - only to find out he's the heir to an entire kingdom back in Ghana! Creative writing is something I've really come to love, and I have fond memories of borrowing and reading books in Woodhouse's library in the morning before my lessons. These books introduced me to different perspectives and new ways of thinking, and it's a real privilege to be able to contribute my own to wider public discussion.

What advice would you give to current students or someone considering Woodhouse?

The main piece of advice I would give to anyone considering Woodhouse is to really think about what type of educational setting would benefit you the most. When I was doing my A-Levels in 2018, I had friends who were studying the same subjects as me back at their old schools. I also had friends doing BTECs at further education colleges, alongside peers who had chosen to go into vocational training. Right now, there is a lot on offer for young people - everything from T-Levels to degree apprenticeships. But if your goal is to go to university, or to obtain the grades necessary to broaden your options, I believe Woodhouse College is one of the best places in London to achieve this. The support I received from Woodhouse's staff (especially during times of personal and financial difficulty) was unparalleled, and some of the A-Level teaching is excellent - second to none. Thus, I truly believe I was far better off in a 'sixth-form college' environment like Woodhouse compared to my old school.

How would you sum up your experience at Woodhouse in one sentence?

My two years at Woodhouse were short, but incredibly eye-opening, and I'm glad I wasn't put on the waiting list!