Hugo: Business and Management at Exeter

Hugo was one of Sedbergh School’s top-performing pupils in the 2026 results, achieving DiDi*Di* through his BTEC programme. He will now go on to study Business and Management at the University of Exeter.

Hugo chose a BTEC pathway because the combination of continuous assessment and practical learning suited the way he works best. Looking back, he describes how increasing independence, the support of his teachers and the breadth of Sedbergh life helped him develop his organisation, confidence and understanding of what he could achieve.

Here, Hugo reflects on choosing BTECs, his results, full boarding and the pathway that will now take him to Exeter.

How did you feel when you saw your results?

I felt really proud when I opened my results this morning and happy that the hard work throughout Sixth Form had paid off.

You’re heading to the University of Exeter to study Business and Management. What are you most looking forward to about that next step?

I’m most looking forward to having a fresh start and being able to study something I’m genuinely interested in at a higher level at Exeter. I am also excited to meet new people and become even more independent than Sedbergh has already made me.

You chose to follow a BTEC pathway rather than a traditional A-level programme. What influenced that decision, and what appealed to you about the way BTEC courses are taught and assessed?

I felt that the BTEC pathway was the best option for me because I liked the fact that your final grade relied on your full two-year journey instead of just a small number of exams at the end. I also particularly enjoyed the practical side of the BTEC Sport course and was lucky enough to have great teachers along the way to support me.

Some pupils feel unsure about choosing between A levels and BTECs. What would you say to someone considering a BTEC pathway who is ambitious about university and their future career?

I would say that choosing a BTEC doesn’t mean limiting your ambitions because I think that the most important thing is understanding how you learn best and choosing a pathway that will allow you to perform at your best to get the best results you can.

If you are someone who enjoys developing real-life practical skills and not having the pressure of exams at the end of the two years, I would recommend doing a BTEC. I would encourage anyone considering it to look at the university courses and careers they are interested in to decide which BTECs are best suited for them.

Looking back, what do you think helped you grow as a learner at Sedbergh?

I think one of the biggest things that helped me was how much independence Sedbergh gives you in order to help you grow not just as a learner but also as a person too. Sedbergh gives you lots of opportunities to manage your commitments and, over time, I feel like my organisation and time management improved.

Was there a moment when you began to think differently about what you might be capable of achieving?

Over time, I began to realise that I was capable of more than I had originally expected of myself, especially when I first began the BTEC course.

With the help of Mr Annett, Mr Davey and Mrs Walker, I was able to reach my full potential, with them being there for me whenever I needed them, whether it was to help with some assignment work or help me prepare as well as possible for my exams.

Sedbergh pupils often balance academic work with sport, music, drama, outdoor education, House life and other commitments. How has that breadth shaped the way you work, manage pressure or approach challenges?

Having so many different commitments helped me to manage my time better and be more organised. At Sedbergh I learnt that you don’t always have time to do everything that you would like, so spend your time wisely, working hard and enjoying aspects of the School like House life and being on the sports pitches.

Especially with being a Head of House, it meant that I had more responsibility outside of normal school life.

What has full boarding given you academically or personally that you think will stay with you after Sedbergh?

Full boarding at Sedbergh has taught me that living and learning in the same environment means you have to take a lot of responsibility for yourself, such as your routine and, most importantly, your relationships with others.

Teachers can really help with that. My now former Housemaster, Mr Annett, has hugely helped in that sense of full boarding at Sedbergh. It has also given me a strong sense of community. Spending so much time around the same people creates friendships and experiences that go beyond the classroom.

Has Sedbergh’s setting influenced your education, independence or sense of perspective in any way?

Massively. I think Sedbergh’s sense of space that you don’t necessarily get in urban areas, such as being surrounded by the fells, really helps you to take a step back from your academics and enjoy the area you work and live in.

Who or what at Sedbergh has had the greatest influence on you?

I think that the greatest influence Sedbergh had on me was the great people who surrounded me, such as the teachers and staff. Particularly, Mr Annett and Mr Oliver both had a huge influence on me growing up, whether it was academically, on the sports pitches or even just a day-to-day chat.

How did you arrive at Business and Management at Exeter as your next step?

My plans developed over time rather than being completely fixed from the beginning, and Sedbergh was so supportive of that decision-making process.

As I progressed through my BTEC courses, I began to get a clearer picture of what pathway I wanted to go down, and Sedbergh made that experience so easy. Choosing Business and Management at Exeter felt like the best choice because it combines an area I’m interested in with the opportunity to develop academically and personally, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

When you look back on Sedbergh in a few years’ time, what do you think you will remember most?

I have so many fond memories from my five years at Sedbergh, but some of my personal favourites were being around my friends 24/7 in a boarding house that was made to feel like home, the rugby tour to South Africa, the golfing trips around the UK, the House competitions and the confidence that I have grown in myself whilst growing up there.

I think that’s something I’ll carry with me long after I leave.