Private School News

Bearwood pupil amongst top ten in the country

Bearwood College’s strong GCSE results

Bearwood College’s GCSE pupils have achieved a spectacular set of results this year, with 90% of entries gaining a Grade C or above, five points up on last year. 31% of entries are at Grade A* or A.

Other highs include 81% of candidates gaining 5 GCSE’s, including Maths and English, at Grade C or above – a four point increase on last year. The Single Science subject results were outstanding with many students choosing to continue studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A Level. The Bearwood College results overall are substantially up on the previous five year average, and are well above the national average.

Mr Ian Smith, Academic Deputy, commented: “Excellent results are the reward for the commitment and diligence from all our pupils, staff and parents. Over three years, since inspection, GCSE’s per candidate at A*- C have risen from 72% to 90%.”

Bearwood is very proud of local pupil Matthew Bell. He was amongst the top ten students according to Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body. Matthew sat the Physical Education exam earlier this summer and the results, issued today, show that out of 70,000 candidates, he achieved one of the highest overall marks.

Stephen Aiano, Headmaster, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and testament to the hard work pupils put into preparing for their exams. We are very proud with this outstanding achievement.” Matthew achieved top grades across all of his nine subjects, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with what I have been able to achieve. I am now really looking forward to embarking on my AS and A2 Levels at Bearwood College.”

He continues: “All our Year 11 students and all the staff have put in some serious work throughout the GCSE course, and are suitably rewarded. I am really pleased for them. These results are part of a long-term trend of continuing academic improvement at Bearwood. This process continues to be taken forward by Mr George Penlington, the College’s new Academic Deputy Head. We are especially pleased with our strong ‘value addition’ which has resulted, on average, in every GCSE subject entry scoring marks over half a grade above expectation.”

Pupils have an exciting range of 23 A Level subjects to choose from, with Environmental Science and Photography being examples of the varied subjects Bearwood College’s Sixth Form has to offer. Small class sizes guarantee individual attention and the Sierra Club, is a purpose-built Sixth Form centre facility designed to promote independent study as well as offer a social space for relaxation. These elements contribute to the strength of Bearwood’s unique support system which can make all the difference to pupils managing the pressures of A Level study. Whilst ensuring academic issues are thoroughly addressed, Bearwood also helps prepare well-rounded individuals, ready for university and life beyond.

Photograph:(From left) Edward Cole, Miren Patel, Angela Stevens, Matthew Bell, Helena Adkins and Ian Sears