Private School News

GCSE results continue to rise at Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Year 11 pupils at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School rounded off the academic year with another crop of excellent GCSE results. 80% of pupils achieved 5 or more A*-Cs which is a 2% increase on the School’s 2008 figure of 78%.

Headmaster Paul Spencer Ellis said “I am pleased our results have continued to rise. Many pupils have achieved grades beyond their expectations and this is due to their own hard work and the support they received from teachers and other staff at the School.”

This year, for the first time, some pupils completed BTEC Countryside and Environment or BTEC Horse care. Mr Spencer Ellis comments “The two new BTECs have been a huge success. Everybody passed on both courses with the majority of pupils who took BTEC Horse care getting an A*. On the BTEC Couuntryside and Environment course, the majority got A or A*. These more practical courses suit pupils who don’t necessarily want to pursue the traditional GCSE subjects.”

There are many individual success stories and here are just a few;

Tim Mackworth-Praed who achieved 10 GCSEs (including 5 A*s and 3 As) will be going on to take up a sixth form scholarship at Reed’s School in Cobham. Tim said “I am very pleased with these results which mean I can take up my scholarship at Reed’s”. Tim recently achieved a Diploma in Musical Theatre which is equivalent to passing the first year’s exams at university.

Lauren Lee achieved an outstanding 10As and a B grade and Jaymez Clark achieved 11 GCSEs including 5As.

Charlotte McDermott was relieved that she passed all 11 of her GCSEs and achieved several A and A* grades. This is because she was selected for the Junior Squad to represent England at the European Taekwon-Do championships in Slovenia and some of her exams clashed with the championship. However, after discussions between the exam boards and the School, arrangements were made to ensure she did not lose out. Charlotte went on to win a bronze medal for England in the Taekwon-Do “Team Sparring” event. Charlotte says “Despite the disruption to my studies due to the European championship I am pleased with my results, especially the A for PE. I am going to study A levels at Reigate College and am planning a career as a personal trainer.”

BTEC Horse care pupils Tarryn Poole, Bethany Gage and Jessica Addenbrooke enjoyed the practical nature of the Horse care BTEC course.

Tarryn Poole, who is staying at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School to study A levels including A level Horse care says “Everything on the course is hands-on and you learn how to think for yourself. Most of the time is spent with horses but there is still course work to be completed.” Tarryn, who would like a career working with horses, possibly as a Stable Manager, plans to go on to study a degree in Horse care.

Jessica Addenbrooke adds “BTEC Horse care covered many areas including how to shoe a horse and how to check its general health. I am now much better informed and have decided that horses will be a hobby for me, rather than a career.” Jessica will be studying A levels at Reigate College and hopes to join the RAF.

Bethany Gage has always loved horses and plans a career working with race horses. “The Horse care BTEC has prepared me for my move to the British Racing School in Newmarket where I will be training to work in the racing industry.”