Strathallan sisters to start new chapter together after stellar results

Two sisters from the Borders will begin a new chapter of their lives at the same time after unexpected A-Level results.

Despite being born a year apart, Melissa and Jemima Forrest-Smith will both start their university journeys simultaneously after achieving top grades last year and this year.

Jemima, the older of the two, received better grades than predicted last year prompting her to wait a year and reapply for her dream degree at the University of St Andrews. While she waited to hear if she was successful, her younger sister Melissa was gaining vital work experience at hospitals across the country and sitting her own A-Level exams, in the hopes of landing a degree in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

Not long after Jemima heard she would indeed head to Scotland’s oldest university, she was sat with Melissa as this year’s A-Level results were announced, ready to help her sister whatever the outcome. However, as the results came through it was clear both sisters, had exceeded their own expectations, with Melissa attaining A*, A*, A, A and Jemima four straight A*’s the year before, confirming their places on their dream degrees.

“I was overwhelmed,” said Melissa, who was Captain of Strathallan School in 2022-23.

“I’m so proud of us both. It meant the world to me that Jemima was with me at 8am ready to help me if I needed it. I’m so relieved and excited to know I’m heading off to Aberdeen to study Medicine.”

“It feels right to go to university at the same time,” said Jemima. “When I got my results, last year I knew I had to trust my gut and take the risk of reapplying, but I had faith in myself and my grades. Sometimes it’s worth the wait if you know where you want to go and what you want to do. I’m so happy for Melissa, this really is worth all the hard work and I can’t wait to share our experiences.”

Reflecting on their time at Strathallan, Melissa said, “We massively appreciate all the help the School has given us. We’ve both had the most amazing time there.”

Jemima added, “All our teachers were fantastic in helping us achieve what we were aiming for. They gave up so much time to mark essays and offer us genuine support. We wouldn’t be where we are now without it.”

The pair are just some of the Strathallan students celebrating outstanding results this year. A record number of pupils taking Highers and Advanced Highers achieved a clean sweep of A grades. Meanwhile, this year’s A-Level results are the second best in the last decade. 85% of all students leaving Strathallan have been accepted into their first-choice university with many earning places on some of the world’s top courses.