Westholme INSPIRED Sixth Form is celebrating a year of centenary success as their class of 2023 graduate. With the conscious decision to dramatically deflate grades nationally this year, Westholme are thrilled to report that nearly a quarter of their students achieved at least 2 A*/A grades and over a third achieved grade A or above.
Principal, Dr Richard Robson commented on the results: “Our count of A*/A grades at Westholme this year is nearly double that compared with our 2019 results. As the A Level grade boundaries have returned to those more akin to 2019, we are delighted with this dramatic increase in Westholme’s top grades. This is a testament to the dynamic teaching and our incredible staff who inspire our students every day. I would like to thank all the teaching staff for their unparalleled commitment and dedication, going over and above as always, to ensure our students achieve the brilliant grades they wholeheartedly deserve.”
Westholme has seen exceptional academic performances from this year’s Centenary graduates
including: Daniel Kirkwood and Harry Smith (both scooping 4 A*s); Edward Forsyth (2 A*s and 1 A); Adam Roberts and Amy Dixon (both achieving 1 A* and 2 As) and Elliot Andrews and Oliver Spendlove (3 As).
The student’s destinations this year include the University of Oxford, University of Manchester,
University of Durham, University of York and University of Liverpool. Students have also secured coveted Level 6 Degree Apprenticeships at the BBC, KPMG, PwC, Jaguar Land Rover, Civil Service, Sellafield and ARUP with the leavers’ industries of choice including: Medicine; Law; Architecture; Classics; Graphic Design; Performing Arts; Midwifery and Engineering.
This year it was estimated that nearly 100,000 fewer top grades will be achieved in England as the exams are marked differently, with significant changes to grade boundaries. The aim is to return grades to a similar level seen before the pandemic. Exam grading will be slightly different nationally. Overall, the average grades rose when centre-assessed grades (CAGs) were awarded due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and in 2021 it increased further with teacher-assessed grades. When in-person exams returned in 2022, the grades dropped to 73 per cent.
Westholme has been shortlisted again for Independent School of the Year owing to their unrivalled holistic excellence. This is the second year in a row that the school has been nominated for this prestigious award and recognised nationally for providing an INSPIRED Sixth Form careers experience rooted in the acquisition of the 21st century essential skills imperative for the workplace.
Dr Robson added: “We have achieved remarkable success this year with top Russell Group university acceptances and also Year 13 students receiving as many as 7 Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship places to choose from. This is an outstanding accomplishment.”
Birth of a new era for Midwife student Francesca
Francesca Hart can’t wait to start the next chapter of her life after fulfilling a lifelong dream to become a midwife.
Francesca, 18, from Chorley, achieved an A in Photography, and Bs in Biology and Psychology at Westholme’s INSPIRED Sixth Form and will be studying Midwifery at the University of Manchester.
Speaking about her results, she said: “My grades are really good, and I’m pleasantly surprised – but most importantly I got what I needed.”
Francesca, who has attended Westholme School since the age of two, said the highlight of her time has been the people she has met.
Edward hits all the right notes
Westholme’s INSPIRED Sixth Form student Edward Forsyth has achieved a remarkable A*A*A in his A Level results.
Edward, 18, from Preston who is taking a gap year to gain valuable work experience before applying to do medicine next year after achieving an A* in Biology and Art, and an A in Chemistry.
Edward said: “I’m really happy. These results are what I’d hoped and worked so hard for. I tried to not let the speculation about grade boundaries worry me too much. There was nothing I could do about that after all, but luckily, I’ve got exactly what I wanted.”
Edward has been at Westholme since Year 7 and believes he’s benefitted from Westholme's learning environment and their rounded approached to teaching: “The support we get at Westholme is great. We’re always encouraged and supported in all we do and are given lots of opportunities to learn and grow. But the people I’ve met here have been the highlight for me.”
In his spare time Edward loves music and plays piano gaining a Grade 8.