Private School News

RGSAO students gain good marks

RGSAO Worcester has again achieved excellent results in the GCSE examinations with 52.1% of passes being at A*/A grade. The overall pass rate (A*-C grades) was 97.2%, and 99.9% of candidates achieved 5 A*-C grades. Forty-two RGS candidates gained at least eight A* or A grades.

As in the recent A Level examinations, this top independent school achieved remarkable results in traditionally tough subjects such as Physics, Maths, Geography, Drama, Design Technology, Latin and Religious Studies.

“These excellent scores continue the pattern set by our A Level students,” said Headmaster Andy Rattue. “They buck the national trend away from academically challenging subjects and show what can be achieved by motivated pupils, first-rate teachers and supportive parents. The results are all the more remarkable when you consider how much these students have also achieved beyond the classroom in sport, drama, music and adventurous outdoor pursuits.”

HIGH ACHIEVING RECORD CONTINUES AT BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE

· A record 69% of entries taken were awarded A* or A, with a new high of 36% at the top A* grade at Bishop’s Stortford College in this year’s GCSE examinations.

· An impressive 43 students, 45% of the year group, each gained at least 10 A* or A grades.

· 100% of pupils achieved 5 or more A*-C grades.

Record–Breaking Year for Farnborough Hill Girls

Shrieks of delight were the order of the day at Farnborough Hill on GCSE results day. Students were jumping for joy when they opened their results to find strings of As and A*s. In a record year for Farnborough Hill a total of 27 girls (nearly one third of the year group) gained straight A/A*s in all their subjects with 63% of all results being at these grades. Parents and staff alike were beaming with pride at the girls’ achievements. Particularly thrilled were Elizabeth Edwards, Veena Srirangam Nadhamuni and Hannah Thrower who all gained straight A*s. 100% of students gained 5 or more A*-C.

The 17 candidates in Year 10 sitting their English GCSE a year early as part of our extension programme for the gifted and talented achieved 100% A*/A grades.

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Buckle, said ‘We are thrilled that a record number of girls have achieved straight A/A*s. All the girls have done extremely well and been justly rewarded for their hard work. I am so proud of the girls, as well as the wonderful teaching staff who are so dedicated. The girls can now look forward to their A level studies with great confidence.’

Mrs Caroline Appleton, mother of Annie, who scooped 3A*s, 6As and a B, says ‘the girls have been lucky enough to experience a wonderful, caring and fun environment at Farnborough Hill and Annie has flourished beyond our wildest expectations.’

LANCING COLLEGE A LEVEL RESULTS Another year of outstanding results

·85.3% of A Levels taken have been graded A or B, further reinforcing Lancing’s reputation for consistent high achievement.

·Lancing’s average of A-B grades for the last six years is 83.4%.

·For the sixth year running, Lancing’s percentage of A-B grades is above 80%.

·40.1% of all candidates achieved at least 3 A grades.

·18 candidates achieved at least 4 A grades, and three achieved 5 A grades.

·209 A grades have been achieved out of the 367 A Levels that were sat by 107 pupils. This represents 56.9% of the A levels taken.

Lancing College has again produced excellent A Level results, with high grades across the board, notably in a wide range of the more challenging subjects.

“I congratulate our A Level students, who have studied diligently to attain excellent grades. These achievements will enable them to embark with confidence on their future paths.

At Lancing, we take a holistic view of each pupil’s education with a curriculum that enables all students to fulfil their individual potential. Academic studies are of primary importance, but outside the classroom they are encouraged to develop many other skills and talents. This has culminated in exciting results, with many pupils gaining places at top universities whilst pursuing activities such as sport, music and drama to the highest levels.”

Jonathan Gillespie, Head Master of Lancing College

County Cricket Players

After a full winter of selection trials at the indoor cricket school, Anna Monk (Upper 4) and Maya Thrasher (Lower 5) were selected to play for the Northamptonshire U-15 cricket team.

They made their debuts on Sunday for the Northamptonshire U-15 cricket team. They both played their part in a fine victory against Warwickshire in very cold and windy conditions.

Selfless students embody Jesuit spirit on pilgrimage to Lourdes

Kind hearted students from a Derbyshire school have returned from Lourdes in France after helping elderly and wheelchair-bound pilgrims to Mass.

Twenty two students and three staff from Mount St Mary’s College took part in the pilgrimage to the town, which is situated in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France, from June 27 to July 3.

Lourdes, which welcomes around five million tourists and pilgrims a year, is a major pilgrimage destination for Christians, as the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Bernadette there several times from the 1850s.

The students, from years 11-13, made the pilgrimage as part of the Diocese of Hallam. They helped assist the other pilgrims, who were mostly elderly or wheelchair bound, by taking them to various services, enjoying ice-creams together and being available to the pilgrims throughout the week.

Students transported the pilgrims from their hotel to Mass or services each day. As a result, they were able to attend several services, including Mass at the Grotto, which is believed to hold water possessing miraculous healing properties. A torchlight procession led by the Diocese of Hallam was another highlight of the week.

Mary Forbes-Jones, Head of Year 12 at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “We are very proud of the students who gave tirelessly in time and effort to make sure that the needs of the fellow pilgrims were met.

“The pilgrimage was a wonderful experience for all involved, and the students worked selflessly to perfectly embody the Ignatian spirit of being ‘Men and Women for Others’, which is at the heart of Mount St Mary’s ethos.”

Set in beautiful surroundings on the South Yorkshire and Derbyshire borders, Mount St Mary’s College is a Jesuit, co-educational, boarding and day school, catering for 11-18 year olds, and welcoming children of any denomination.

Picture caption: Four students from Mount St Mary’s with a pilgrim in Lourdes, France

Marist students win further awards at the 2009 National Drama Festivals Association Final

Ten Year 12 students from the Marist Senior School have been presented with the Buxton Trophy for ‘most promising youth performance’ in the 2009 National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA), British All Winners Festival (BAWF). The girls performed in the BAWF final on 22 July which took place at the Rhoda McGraw Theatre, Woking.

The all female cast performed, ‘A Memory of Lizzie’ by David Foxton, which explored the dark story of Lizzie Borden who was tried for the murders of her father and stepmother in America during the 19th century. Alice Ordish, who played ‘Lizzie’ was also nominated for an individual award for her chilling performance.

Drama Groups which have won Full Length or One Act Member Festivals between 9th June 2008 and 7th June 2009 were eligible for invitation to take part in the BAWF. In early May the girls won 5 awards during the Maidenhead Festival, then followed this success in June by winning the semi-final round of the All England Theatre Festival, and performed to an appreciative audience at the All England Festival final at the beginning of July. It is a rare achievement for a school to see this level of success at the All England Festival which places them amongst the top performing amateur theatre companies in England.

Jane Harris, Head of Drama at the Marist Senior School, said “I am really delighted for the cast as they have worked really hard and pulled together as a team at each and every stage of our journey. The girls have grown in confidence and learnt more than they could have believed possible. Each adjudicator gave constructive criticism as well as much praise which will help to inform their development over the next year of their A level. Their dedication and achievement can only serve to inspire younger pupils to get involved with drama.”

Photo –: Cast members Hannah Lee and Michelle Percy with Marist Head of Drama, Jane Harris.

‘The Gunpowder Treason Martyrs’ (Wed 4th November 2009)

A Presentation at Bilton Grange Preparatory School on Wednesday, 4th November at 7:00 p.m.(Ticketed event)

It is known that Sir Everard Digby was lodging in Dunchurch while the Gunpowder plot unfolded while Robert Catesby, the charismatic leader of the plotters, had properties at both Lapworth and Ashby St. Legers.

The Gunpowder Plotters also stayed at the Red Lion Inn (now a private residence called ‘Guy Fawkes House’) in Dunchurch awaiting news of Guy Fawkes’s success at blowing up the Houses of Parliament.

Some villagers say that the very first ‘Guy Fawkes Peal’ was rung in 1605 at St Peter’s Church, Dunchurch, to drown the sound of the hooves of the Militia horses when they were coming to arrest the conspirators.

The plot involved many members of respected and wealthy Catholic families spread across the West Midlands. From their bases here, families such as the Wintours, Throckmortons and Treshams stored large amounts of arms, armour, ammunition and horses from which to launch the rebellion to return England to its Catholic past.

Unravelling the mystery of the Dunchurch connection with the Gunpowder Plot will be Mrs Jan Graffius, the Stonyhurst College Curator. Her Presentation, ‘The Gunpowder Treason Martyrs’ will take place in the Ravenscroft Hall at Bilton Grange on Wednesday, 4th November at 7:00 p.m.

Blessed Edward Oldcorne or Oldcorn (b. 1561; executed 7 April1606) was an English Jesuit priest. He was known to people who knew of the Gunpowder Plot to destroy the Parliament of England and kill King James I, and, although his involvement is unclear, he was caught up in the subsequent investigation. He is a Catholic martyr, and was beatified in 1929.
Mrs Jan Graffius will be bringing with here a small, silver, eye-shaped locket with an inscription identifying its contents as the right eye of Blessed Edward Oldcorne, executed in 1606 for supposed involvement in the Gunpowder Plot. This object, both ordinary and startlingly out of the ordinary, tells a powerful story that cuts across the centuries to our own times.

The Presentation has already attracted much press interest and is expected to be oversubscribed.
If you would like to attend (tickets are free), please contact Mr Jonathan Hewat at Bilton Grange – jhewat@biltongrange.co.uk or telephone 01788 818 249

RARE CHANCE TO SEE STONYHURST’S HISTORIC COLLECTIONS

WHERE can you see a real Egyptian mummy, a lock of Mary Queen of Scots’ hair and Arthur Conan Doyle’s school desk, all under one roof this summer?

Well the answer of course is Stonyhurst College, which is once again opening its doors to the general public for guided tours during August.

Originally a 16th century manor house, it is home to the famous Catholic Independent boarding and day school, near Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Visitors to this historic building can see many treasures held in the Stonyhurst Collections, some of which have not been on display for many years.

On show will be an exquisitely beautiful prayer book, thought to have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots, which she is believed to have taken to her execution.

Other items on display this summer include:
a lavishly illustrated ‘Book of Hours’ – an illuminated manuscript made in Paris in 1430, a 15th century Italian Liber Festivalis which is a book of religious feasts, a 16th century illuminated Koran, a 17th century Persian astronomical calendar, vestments from the 15th to the 18th century, a hat belonging to St Thomas More, African, Indian and South American clothing, pottery and ornaments, many natural history specimens including eggs, butterflies and birds.

The Egyptian mummy has recently returned to Stonyhurst from Manchester Museum, where it has undergone forensic tests to discover more about it.

Many of the items were displayed last year at the exhibition ‘Held in Trust’ at Saint Francis Xavier’s Church, Liverpool.

Stonyhurst also provided inspiration for two of the world’s most celebrated writers. J.R.R Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, wrote part of his epic trilogy during his stay at the College and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the Sherlock Homes detective stories, was a pupil between 1868-1875.

During the tour of Stonyhurst visitors can see the desk on which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle carved his name, the table on which Oliver Cromwell slept before the Battle of Preston and Jacobite pistols found hidden in a priest hole. Visitors will also see how present day pupils live, work and play, and have the opportunity to see the chapels and historic rooms including the Great Hall with portraits of the seven former pupils awarded the Victoria Cross

“Visitors are in for a real treat this year; it will be a rare opportunity to see artefacts that are both sacred and secular,” said Katherine Walker, Marketing Director at Stonyhurst College.

“Stonyhurst is a Grade I Listed building and renowned for its magnificent towers and gardens. It is regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley, so well worth a visit.”

The college is open every day 1-4.30pm inc. Bank Holiday Monday (closed Fridays) from 27th July 2009 until 31st August 2009. Admission charges apply – House & Garden £6.00, Child (4 -14) £5.00 (Under 4 free), senior citizens £5.50. Gardens only £1.00.

Picture captions:
STN Building – The exterior of Stonyhurst College

Gala Opera Night

A highlight of this term was the Gala Opera Night, which featured professional soloists and a selection of arias and chorus numbers from the world’s favourite operas and musicals. The Malvern St James Chorus performed alongside three very talented young professional singers all of whom are award winning graduates of the RNCM: Emma Johnston (Soprano), Richard Pollock (Tenor) and Oliver Dunn (Baritone).

Director of Music, Mrs Lynne Lindner writes, ‘Directed and accompanied by Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, our outstanding pianist, the young professional soloists joined the MSJ Chorus in an evening of glittering opera favourites. The audience was delighted and visibly moved by a succession of virtuoso arias and choruses. As well as grand opera, the second half included items from the lighter side, such as Gilbert and Sullivan, Offenbach’s Gendarmes’ Song and Funiculi Funicala. Four of our talented Sixth Form singers performed alongside the soloists. Charlotte Mason, Hannah Evans, Natasha Killam and Gabriella Grandi acquitted themselves magnificently and received rapturous applause. We have received numerous letters of congratulation. Thank you Malcolm for organising a night that will be long remembered’.

Mount St Mary’s celebrates record-breaking A-level results

Hardworking pupils, dedicated staff and supportive parents at Mount St Mary’s are celebrating after the Derbyshire College recorded outstanding A-level results.

Mount St Mary’s, at Spinkhill, achieved a record-breaking 100 per cent pass rate with 30 per cent of students graded A.

The Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy were among the top performers at Mount St Mary’s, which has exceeded the national average pass rate of 97.5 per cent and 26.7 per cent awarded A grades.

Deputy Head Boy Rahul Ravi, from Ashgate, Chesterfield, achieved four As in Accountancy, Biology, Chemistry and Maths and will go on to study Economics and Maths at Bristol University.

Rahul said: “I am so happy to have got these grades after all the hard work and revision over the last two years and it is fantastic that I have got the place at Bristol University. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and teachers at the Mount.

“My ultimate ambition after university is to buy Arsenal Football Club so hopefully I can put my Economics and Maths skills to good use!”

Adam Gaskell, from Nether Handley, who is Head Boy and captain of the school’s rugby team, recorded three As in Business Studies, English and Music.

Adam, who is interested in studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics, has just returned from a work placement at a law firm in Hong Kong and will now take a gap year before applying to Oxford.

Science queen Chloe Howard from Holmesfield, Dronfield, is heading to University College London to study natural sciences after earning four As in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

Some of the school’s other success stories include this year’s Head Girl Lucy Potts, from Firbeck near Worksop, who achieved As in English and Geography and a B in Philosophy.

Tom Ward, from Killamarsh recorded As in Biology, Chemistry and a B in Religious Studies and is off to study Medicine at Queen Mary in London, while Sarah Philips, from Anston, Sheffield, achieved As in French and Spanish and a B in Philosophy. She is going to study Languages at Newcastle University.

Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s, said: “These truly outstanding results are a testament to the talent and dedication of our pupils, but also our incredibly hard working staff and the pupils’ parents who have played an important part in supporting the students. They should all be hugely proud of their achievements.

“At the heart of Mount St Mary’s is a mission to develop well rounded young men and women, and these results reflect our ethos to support pupils not just academically, but spiritually, physically and emotionally, so they leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

Bearwood College: A-Level Results 2009

Bearwood College is delighted to congratulate its Upper Sixth Form students on their strong 2009 A/Level results, yet another improvement on the results of the previous year.

Bearwood College saw a strongly improved performance in the A/Level results for A-B grades at 69% (2008 – 48%; 2007 – 44%), and for A-C grades at 84% (2008 – 80%; 2007 – 76%).

The A-E grade pass rate was 99%, two points up on last year. The average score per candidate at Bearwood College is 347 UCAS points, equivalent to grades AAB or BBBc, and 71 points above last year’s score. The top personal score was 540 points, the best ever individual score for the College.

Commenting on this year’s results, the Headmaster, Mr Stephen Aiano, said: “These tremendous results are evidence of the long-term academic progress at Bearwood College. All the Upper Sixth Form students and teaching staff, under the academic leadership of George Penlington, Academic Deputy, have put in a great deal of effort and commitment over the last two years to achieve these impressive A-Level results.”

For Bearwood’s Academic Deputy George Penlington, seeing individuals who have been nurtured through the College exceed their academic expectations is the one of the greatest rewards a teacher can receive. “The culmination of every Sixth Form pupil’s development at Bearwood is reflected in their A-level results; our aim is to ensure that each individual is given both the academic and psychological support to fulfill their greatest potential. We are very pleased with the ‘value added’ improvement. On average, every candidate achieved 105 points beyond their UCAS expectation. This is equivalent to each student achieving a grade and a half above predictions for each subject.”

For a local pupil, Tom Bell-Williamson from Wokingham his 440 UCAS points has secured him a place at Manchester to study Business. ‘I can’t believe that the day has finally arrived and that I have the points to study at my first choice University. I am so excited and relieved!”

Bearwood College’s top-scoring A-Level candidates, Kemal Atayev, said: “I am so pleased with these results – it’s been brilliant. They confirm my place to read Business and Accounting at the University of Birmingham.” Kemal, who was a boarder in Blake House, gained an impressive 540 UCAS points.

Sixth Formers are provided with 360 degree support throughout their A/Level studies at Bearwood. In addition to committed subject teachers, academic progress is closely monitored by the Key Stage 5 Coordinator and the Academic Deputy. Pastoral needs are cared for by a dedicated Tutor as well as by a Houseparent. The advice of the in-house careers service is supplemented by the resources of Futurewise, the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. 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.

Marist Students A Level Success

Marist Senior School – students receive 7% rise in A grades based on previous year.

Students from the Marist Senior School received excellent A Level results again this year, with students achieving a 7% rise in A grades.

Although students opened envelopes with some trepidation, nerves soon turned to excitement and parents, friends and teachers were eager to offer congratulations on the excellent results achieved. Wallace Martin Kerr achieved A grades in all four of her subject areas of Economics, English Literature, History and Latin. Wallace achieved 598 marks out of a possible 600 marks for History. Wallace will go on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at The University of Oxford. Rebecca Brown achieved A grades in all four of her subject areas of Biology, Chemistry, French and Mathematics. Rebecca will now study Medicine at Imperial College, London. Laura Fox, and Giuseppina Magistro each achieved A grades in 3 subjects in addition to A grades in their AS subjects. Laura will study Land Economy at The University of Cambridge and Giuseppina will study Economics at The University of Exeter. Katie Horbury, Nasreen Hussain and Charlotte Luxton were also very high achievers with A grades in three subjects each. Laura Fox and Amy Jewitt Harris also produced full marks in A level Economics and Art respectively.

Further AS Level high achievers in Year 12 were Stephanie Charbine, Madeleine Gale, Roisin Kirby, Bianca Luxton, Georgina Ingham and Kayla Spitzer who all achieved grade A in four AS subjects each. Madeleine Gale also achieved full marks in both English and Latin AS. Alexandra Kyjak-Lane achieved full marks in one History module.

Karl McCloskey, Headteacher, said: “Results day is always an exciting occasion at the Marist. Every student deserves our utmost congratulations, they have all studied very hard to achieve their excellent results. The Marist Sixth Form environment provides a good balance of challenge and support for our students to enable them to achieve the best possible results.”

NON-SELECTIVE SCHOOL’S SOLID PERFORMANCE IN A-LEVELS

Despite growing numbers of students opting for the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Rossall School, Fleetwood, the independent school returned a solid performance in this year’s A-level results with a percentage pass rate of 91% A-E grades and a 6% rise in A-B grades to 63%, a rise which is significant given the school’s non-selective policy, which means that students of all abilities are allowed to sit the examinations of their choice.

Forty nine sixth form students sat a total of 23 subjects in this year’s examinations with the remaining sixth form population opting for International Baccalaureate in which the school excelled with a number of students amongst the highest points achievers worldwide.

Among the straight ‘A’ students this year was outgoing school captain, James Cross of Stanley Park, Blackpool who took three subjects – English Literature, Geography and History, and achieved the top pass rate in each, which means he is now on his way to study English at Oxford University. Also among the ‘A’ grades with four top passes was Garstang student, Toby Ma, who joined Rossall in 1994. His father Ken is owner, manager of Garstang’s prominent town centre Chinese eaterie the Ken Ma Restaurant. He is “delighted” that Toby will now achieve his ambition to study medicine at Sheffield University. Toby gained his straight ‘A’s’ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

Rossall teacher’s son, Alex Alonso of Thornton will head for York University and an English degree course following his three A’s in Chemistry, English Literature and Mathematics, and a ‘B’ in Further Mathematics. Mum, Sharon, who teaches Spanish at the School is overjoyed by his results. She said: “Alex has put in a tremendous amount of work, as have all students, so to see him get such high marks is very rewarding.”

Thornton student, Charlotte Armstrong, 18, has double reason to celebrate today, with two A grades in English Literature and Music and a B in religious studies paving the way for her acceptance by Durham University, where she’ll study music in an attempt to emulate her cousin, Jane Wilkinson, also a former Rossall pupil, who is now one of Britain’s up and coming operatic sopranos. However, she won’t take up her place at Durham until next year, because she is also one of only 35 UK students to have gained a scholarship to a top independent school in America through the English Speaking Union, and in September she’ll take a place at the prestigious Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.

Commenting on this year’s performance, Rossall’s senior mistress, Jean Briggs said: “Although our pass rate overall was similar to last year it is particularly encouraging to see that we have more students achieving higher grades, as illustrated by our 6% increase in A-B grades, taking us to 63%.

“As a non-selective school we believe that even those pupils with weaker academic backgrounds should be given every opportunity possible, and our improvement in the A-B grades is proof that our policy is successful for the school and more importantly, for the pupils. Some students have achieved beyond their expectations.

The full results are:
Five Passes: L MAMANI
N TRAN

Four Passes: A ALONSO
Z BAI
L CHU
K LAM
S LEE
S LU
T MA
M NGUYEN
F PARKER
J SHUI
A SUN
J XU

Three Passes: H ANDERSON
C ARMSTRONG
H BENNETT
J CATER
S CHELTON
J CROSS
K DAVIES
R DOCHERTY
F FAN
X FU
L GILLESPIE
S HARDIE
H INGLE
T KENYON
S SALNIKOV
J THOMPSON
T TSUI
P TUNG
M WONG
J YU

Two Passes: M CHEN
T CHEN
J CHEN
S HUANG
W WANG
B WU
A ZOU

One Pass: L LARK
J LIAO
P EISSEN
F MEUER
T NGUYEN

International Baccalaureate Diploma Passes
In addition to A-levels, 32 students studied for the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma in Rossall School Sixth Form. Many candidates passed with scores above the international average, increasing the School’s pass rate by 10% to 84.38%, which takes it above the world average.

Rossall is one of a select number of school’s in the UK with lengthy experience in IB. The school’s dedicated IB department has been working with Diploma students for twelve years and the school’s experience is reflected in the performance of its IB graduates, many of whom will now go on to study at some of the top universities in the UK and overseas.

The School’s top scoring student, Isabell Mencher from Stuttgart, Germany, achieved 44 from a possible maximum points total of 45 for six subjects (the maximum number of subjects permissible), but also added an extra seven points by passing a seventh subject, Spanish, which regrettably won’t be counted in her total. She is joined in the high pass grades by local student, 18-year-old, Sam Ireland of Bispham (42 points) and local golfing sensation, Jenna Birch, also 18, of Larkholme (33 points). Anh Vu, a Vietnamese boarder at the school achieved the school’s second highest total with 43 points. Last year, there was not one recorded pass in the world with a full 45 points and only 0.03% of all students achieved 44 points. There were similar percentage passes for 43 and 42 points totals. .

Another Successful Year for Wycliffe’s Sixth Form Students

Among another great set of results for Wycliffe A level pupils this year were those of the six students who achieved all A grades. Included in this figure were Jeremy Fletcher of Eastcombe, Stroud with 4 As, and four others who achieved 3 A grades. These were Susie Jackson from Slimbridge, Dursley’s Ellie Chubb, James Norbury of Chalford, Stroud and
Head Boy Callum Wood from Carterton, Oxford who will be taking his place at Brasenose College, Oxford to study Economics and Management.

When he arrives at Oxford, Callum will be the first person from his family to attend university.

The college saw its overall pass rate again exceed 98% and there were 100% pass rates in 27 of the 30 subjects offered.

Head Margie Burnet Ward said, “Improving academic standards and rigour at Wycliffe have
produced another very pleasing set of results. These are a testimony to the dedication of staff and commitment of our students. As well as those who achieved so many very high grades are those whose lower grades are still for them a huge achievement against what might have been expected and I want to congratulate all equally for their achievements.”
!!

Haileybury pupils achieve 54% A grades

Haileybury’s A Level pupils have produced excellent results this year, with 54,1% achieving A grades, up from 49,7% last year. The number of A-B grades for A Levels and the International Baccalaureate is 81%.
The percentage of A grades marks Haileybury’s best year yet and are increasing sharply each year. The 2007 total of A grades was 42.2%, and 37.6% for 2006.
Two pupils, Rupert Flint Cahan (K) and James Turing (E), achieved four As and an A grade at AS Level, while another seven pupils achieved four As. They are: Amy Gandon (H), Charles Richards (Th), Tim Stoten (K), Daniele Guerrieri (L), Danna He (Alb), Clementine Reed (H) and Herbert Swaniker (Th).
In total, 28 out of 94 candidates achieved 3 As or better.
In addition, more than 60% of the Higher Level grades obtained in this year’s International Baccalaureate results were the prestigious 6 or 7, while 65% of Standard Level scores were also at those top grades.
The Average Points Score, at 35.3, although slightly below the last year’s level of 35.9, is ahead of the average for the years 2005 – 2007. The average UCAS point score per A Level and IB pupil is 390.
Haileybury’s incoming Master, Joe Davies, says: “We are thrilled with these results, especially the percentage of A grades attained. Taking into account the excellent IB results which were announced in July, as well as the stability in the number of pupils and of boarders, there is clear evidence that Haileybury is continuing to strengthen in every way.”

MORE A LEVEL RECORDS AT BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE

For the seventh consecutive year, new A level records have been set at Bishop’s Stortford College.

64% of A levels were awarded an A grade, a new high point.
88% were awarded A or B and 98% were awarded an A, B or C, both statistics matching last year’s record figures.
Once again, the pass rate was 100%.

Top performer was James Hutchings from Dunmow, with five A grades, closely followed by the following eight pupils on 4 A grades: Harriet Robinson from Newport, Patrick Tsitsaros from Saffron Walden, Maria Duvidzon from Russia, Matthew Tang from Hong Kong and, from Bishop’s Stortford, Jorge Alexander, Tom Castro, Michael Dabbs and Stephanie-Howard Smith.
Altogether thirty six students (40%) gained three or more A grades.

Headmaster John Trotman, congratulating the whole year group, spoke of the outstanding performance being the icing on the cake of a marvellous year. ‘Many pupils, not just the ones with A grades, deserve enormous credit for the progress they have made and the inspiring way in which they have set about achieving their potential.’

‘Over recent years we have established ourselves as one of the country’s top co-educational schools and I am confident that all pupils in the College will be further inspired by this achievement,’ he said.

‘Excellent A levels have given our pupils access to places at many of the best universities in the country once again. We are delighted.’

Achieving their goals

Tears of joy were the order of the day as Farnborough Hill girls opened their A level results. The hard working students were delighted to have achieved their goals and are looking forward to university life. The results were outstanding: 84% of the grades achieved were A or B grades with 93% of all grades at C or above. Bucking the trend for girls, nearly three quarters of the year group took Maths and/or Sciences and these results were particularly strong with nearly 90% of grades at A or B.

Among the top achievers were 10 girls with straight A grades, including (pictured with Head of Science, Sue Macey, l to r): Jenny Orchard (Economics at Warwick University), Laura Amatt (History at Royal Holloway), Caroline Haines (Music (Composition) at The Royal Northern College of Music), Sue Macey, Joanna Belcher (Medicine at University College London), Sarah Wonham (Archaeology & Ancient History at St John’s College, Oxford), Hannah Dennis (Veterinary Science at The Royal Veterinary College) and Marina Daoud (Dentistry at King’s College, London). Also going to Cambridge this year are Vinaya Srirangam Nadhamuni, (Medicine at Girton College) and Rebecca Overton (Latin and Greek at Selwyn College).

Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Buckle said “We are delighted with this set of outstanding results. The girls have not only worked very hard but they have been a credit to the school in so many other ways too, not least raising large sums of money for charity during their Upper Sixth RAG week. Credit must also go to the dedicated and talented teaching staff at Farnborough Hill who always go the extra mile to inspire and support their students”.

Record year for RGSAO A Level students

RGSAO A Level students were celebrating today, as news of their excellent results came through from the examination boards. The overall RGSAO pass rate (grades A-E) was 99.8%, with 77.2% of subjects taken scoring A and B grades. 89.6% of the subjects taken were graded A, B or C. The percentage of A and B grades is the highest ever achieved by either RGS, AO or RGSAO.

No fewer than 40 candidates achieved at least three A grades at A Level, with many gaining four or five A grades, facts which suggest that most RGSAO leavers should get places at their first-choice universities. Early indications are that all nine RGSAO students who have conditional offers from Oxford or Cambridge Universities this year have got the grades they require.

Headmaster Andy Rattue was very pleased with the results: “I am delighted that the hard work of our students has been rewarded, and that they can proceed with confidence to university. These results are also a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the RGSAO teaching staff, whose attention to detail has helped our students pick their way through the A level minefield.”

“We read a lot about dumbing down in the national press, and the way in which, nationally, teenagers are avoiding ‘difficult’ subjects. It’s worth pointing out that some of our strongest results are consistently in subjects such as Modern Languages, Chemistry, Mathematics and Latin, though our candidates have also done very well in less traditional subjects such as Politics and Textiles. We also need to see academic results in the context of everything else our students are involved in, such as sport, drama, music, expeditions and charity fundraising. It’s been a great pleasure to see these young men and women keep life in perspective.”

Stonyhurst pupils achieve 100% Oxbridge Success

Once again Stonyhurst is celebrating a strong performance at A-level. 100% of the students who have offers to study in Oxford or Cambridge have achieved their dream to attend one of the top universities in the country. Students have gained a clutch of A-grades to secure places on courses as diverse as Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Theology and History of Art at both Oxford and Cambridge.

There have been some outstanding personal success stories. Two students achieved 6 A-grades each and three more achieved 5 A-grades. A further thirteen pupils achieved three or more A-grades each.

The percentage of A-grades was up from 35% last year to 38%. The national average is 26.5% so once again Stonyhurst has far outstripped national results.

More than three quarters of the candidates in Mathematics got an A grade and almost two thirds got A grades in Economics. There were also outstanding performances in English, Chemistry, Latin, German and French with more than 75% of these pupils achieving A or B grades. The UCAS points per student has also risen from 317 last year to 330, a 4% increase.

Headmaster Andrew Johnson commented: “We are very proud of all of the achievements of our Sixth Formers and their teachers who have worked extremely hard to gain these excellent results.’

‘There are some tremendous top results, and many of those who didn’t make straight A’s have performed well beyond expectations too.’

“It is encouraging that our students have once again performed strongly in a whole variety of subjects whilst also taking part in the wide ranging extra curricular activities on offer here at Stonyhurst. We wish all the students well as they go out into the world to be men and women for others.”