Oxford University student wins Rising Star of the Year award

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Johnny Moesel, an Oxford University history and politics student, has been named Rising Star of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026.

Johnny Moesel, an Oxford University student reading history and politics, has been named Rising Star of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, held in London on 14 October. The award recognises academic achievement, leadership and commitment to making a positive impact in society. Moesel attended Cothill Prep School in Abingdon and Sherborne Boys, and credits both schools as formative in shaping his values and ambitions.

During his time at Sherborne, Moesel won several national academic competitions including the Townsend Warner History Prize and awards from the Society for Army Historical Research and the British Association for American Studies. As Head Boy, he led a whole-school review of independent learning, became the first pupil lead mentor of the Junior Academic Programme, and launched an academic exhibition journal featuring work from Sherborne and neighbouring state schools. He secured sponsorship for the journal from publisher Thames & Hudson.

Outside the classroom, Moesel founded Civic Shift, a non-profit initiative encouraging youth engagement in civic life, which gained backing from MPs and senior civil servants. He represented Sherborne in several first teams and competed internationally for England at under-18 level in fly-fishing, a sport he discovered at Cothill, combining this with conservation work and mentoring younger anglers. George May, head of Cothill, said his achievements 'reflect the curiosity, confidence and character that we strive to nurture at Cothill'.

How it is being reported

• Oxford University student named Rising Star of the Year at national awardsOxford University student Johnny Moesel, a Cothill and Sherborne alumnus, wins Rising Star of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026.Oxford Mail · 20 Oct, 12:30
• Oxford University student named Rising Star of the Year at national awardsOxford University student Johnny Moesel, a Cothill and Sherborne alumnus, wins Rising Star of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026.Oxfordshire Guardian · 20 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Johnny Moesel · Oxford University · Cothill Prep School · Sherborne Boys · Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026 · Thames & Hudson · Civic Shift · Abingdon

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