Speaking of today’s Sixth Form results Headmaster Tyrone Howe says, “They’ve smashed it!”. And they absolutely have - the Class of 2024 achieved a phenomenal set of results, far exceeding that of last year and the 2019 pre-COVID benchmark. The percentage of A*-C grades has risen from 88% (2023) to 97%, and at A*-B from 62% to 72%. The percentage of top A*-A grades has also increased from 32% to 39%.
Mr Howe comments: “We are absolutely delighted with the performance of our pupils. There has been a real buzz in Marjorie’s Café this morning and it’s great to see so many of our leavers back to celebrate with each other and with their teachers. These are the best academic results in the College’s history, outside the two years of COVID. We are a school of personal bests, we have achieved that, and I cannot ask for any more. Our pupils are leaving with smiles on their faces and this is testimony to the hard work they have put in. It can only happen with dedicated, professional, and top-quality staff and I would like to say a personal thank you to all the teachers who work incredibly hard. I am very proud of everyone who has contributed to today’s successes.
“We had high hopes for this year group and the value-added results (which take into account where each pupil started from and the progress they make relative to other similar students nationally) reflect this, with the average score of an extra 0.34 on each grade across all subjects (pupils who joined us in Year 7 achieved an average of +0.48). 86% of exam results were A-level subjects, with the vocational subjects of business, music and sport performing strongly. Other standout subjects include Art, DT, Geography, Photography, PE, Media Studies and the Sciences.
“The average UCAS score gives the equivalent of BBB and the highest ever number of students have gained a place at their first choice university. As ever our leavers are going to a wide range of universities, particularly popular destinations being Exeter, York, Nottingham Trent and Cardiff. Three of our rowers are also heading to the USA, including Jack Duggan to Harvard. In addition to business and sport-related degrees, subjects include engineering, computer science, economics, criminology, politics, real estate, marketing and architecture.
“There are so many individual success stories but my particular thanks to those who achieved three A*-A (or equivalent) across the board, including Abi Botterill, Jack Duggan, Alice Spooner, Monty Walker, Ben Watkins and Isobel Young.”