Private School News

A new school year sees the commencement of an exciting new scholarship programme

In today’s Western Mail, Head of Christ College Emma Taylor is extensively quoted on the subject of scholarships and bursaries (please click here for details) and as the new school year starts, one talented pupil is benefitting from an innovative new scholarship programme developed between Christ College and a leading UK pharmaceutical company.

Penn Scholar Charlotte Crosby and Head of HR at Penn Pharma, Jo McCafferty

Charlotte Crosby (15) from Cwmbran is the first recipient of the ‘Penn Scholarship’ – a joint scheme between Christ College Brecon and Penn Pharmaceuticals of Tredegar, which is aimed at providing opportunities for young people to pursue careers in science.

Charlotte has joined Christ College to begin her A-Levels, having completed her GCSE’s at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School in Cwmbran.

Charlotte said: “I’m very excited about being the first Penn Scholar and I can’t wait for term to start at Christ College. The Penn Scholarship has given me an incredible opportunity to study science as well as experiencing work placements at Penn Pharma during the holidays. In May I met up with the Head of HR of Penn Pharma at the opening of Christ College’s new £1.5M Science Centre and we are already planning work experience programmes. I am incredibly fortunate to be going to one of the UK’s top independent schools, with brilliant science facilities, set in the most stunning campus, and being sponsored by one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical companies!”

Hubert Jones Science Centre
Christ College and Penn announced their joint scholarship scheme last year, aimed at providing career opportunities for young scientists with the promise that the successful candidate would start their potential career in science studying in some of the best science facilities in Wales.

The successful Penn Scholar will receive a significant subsidy for the school fees for two years, receive mentoring from Penn and have the opportunity to complete up to four weeks paid work experience at the company’s research facilities in Tredegar.

Through the work experience programme, Charlotte and future Penn Scholars will get the chance to become involved in a range of business initiatives and science-based projects as well as having the chance to work towards a work-based qualification.

Peter George, CEO at Penn, said: “Over recent years the number of pupils that go on to study degree courses in science at university has dropped therefore fewer high-quality graduates are going into the science industry.

“We welcome this partnership with Christ College as we are passionate about inspiring pupils like Charlotte to get involved in science and we are well positioned to demonstrate the excellent opportunities existing within the science industry. Christ College’s reputation in developing young scientists is outstanding and they have developed some of the best school science facilities anywhere in Wales.”

One only has to reflect on the A-level statistics from the Chemistry Department at Christ College to see the excellent record that the school has in producing outstanding young scientists. Over the last 10 years, 143 A2 candidates have sat A level exams, all of which have passed and which includes a grade A/B success rate of 76%.

Head of Chemistry at Christ College, Paul Smith said: “These results will stand comparison with any of the top class schools across the whole of the country.”

Hubert Jones Science Centre
Head of Christ College Emma Taylor said: “We are extremely grateful to Penn Pharmaceutical Services Ltd who have recognised the potential of this exciting and innovative scheme, and it will provide enormous opportunities to Charlotte who is passionate about seeking a career in science. Charlotte will also have every opportunity to pursue her interests in hockey, golf and drama through the wide extra-curricular programme that we offer. Finally, Charlotte, and the others who will follow her, will benefit from the support and expertise of one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical companies who compete on a global basis.”

“The scheme is open to any applicant in Wales and is part of the school’s very firm commitment to make education at Christ College as accessible and available to pupils from as many different backgrounds as possible.”

Charlotte’s interest in Science began about five years ago when she lived in the USA for a short while. She entered a science competition, winning the school competition and coming second in the county competition. She came back from the US and was keen to continue to study the sciences and began working part time at a Pharmacy in Pontnewyndd near Pontypool.

New ‘Extended Project’ to be piloted at Christ College

Parents will no doubt be aware of the plethora of options now available at 16+, including the IB, Welsh Bac and Cambridge Pre-U qualifications.

We remain convinced that the best qualifications for Christ College pupils continue to be A levels, but are conscious that universities are anxious to see good independent research skills as well. To this end, we will be running a pilot scheme for a small number of pupils in the new Extended Project, which will run alongside A levels for more motivated pupils and will earn them UCAS points.

The Russell Group of universities has already validated this qualification as a demonstration of pupils’ suitability for more demanding university courses. The pilot scheme is being headed by Dr Paul Smith and more information will be available in September

Celebrations underway as the class of 2009 record best ever A level results!

Celebrations are well under way at Christ College Brecon, whose pupils have this year achieved the best A level results ever recorded at the school. Over 75% of all grades were A or B, representing a 2% improvement on last year’s results.

All Oxbridge bound
Eleven candidates achieved straight A grades in 3 or more subjects and these outstanding results mean that Christ College leavers are now set to head off to a range of top universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, Durham and York, to study a range of subjects from Engineering to Oriental Languages and from Politics to Marine Biology.

Four pupils, including local pupils Tom Blackburn and Josh Gaskell from Brecon, gained the grades required by either Oxford or Cambridge, heading off to study Engineering, English, Philosophy and Theology.

Other local pupils who did exceptionally well in achieving straight A grades were Ben Evans from Cradoc, Tiggy Llewellyn from Tefeitha near Brecon, Emily Sullivan from Cantref near Brecon and Joshua Spencer from Trawscoed near Brecon. Joshua stayed up late into the night to obtain his results as he is currently on a Gap Year, working at Christ’s College, Christchurch in New Zealand.

David Evershed from Aberystwyth, who joined Christ College Sixth Form in September 2007 from Penglais Comprehensive, also achieved 3 A grade passes.

Ben and his mum celebrate
As in previous years, the Maths and Science departments performed particularly strongly, with 80 per cent of all entries in Maths and Science graded A or B. In Maths and Further Maths, 15 out of the 18 examination entries achieved grade As.

The school’s science results are particularly pleasing in the light of the continuing and worrying trend nationally away from scientific subjects at A level and degree level.

Earlier this year, Christ College opened the new £1.5 million state-of-the-art Hubert Jones Science Centre in memory of a former pupil who left the school a multi-million pound bequest. In addition to awarding a range of science scholarships and bursaries, Christ College will be awarding the prestigious Penn Science Scholarship, sponsored by Penn Pharmaceuticals in Tredegar, to a new Sixth Form pupil this September.

Head Emma Taylor is delighted with the results.
Other groups producing remarkable results were pupils in Art and Photography, where 96 per cent of grades were at A or B level, and Religious Studies where 90 per cent of pupils achieved A or B grades.

Head, Emma Taylor, expressed delight at these results. She said: “It is wonderful to be celebrating excellent results and record-breaking statistics, but these are not just numbers, they are the final key to open the door to universities and futures for some very worthy and delightful young people, whose qualities and skills go way beyond what can be measured in the examination room. They also represent a fitting reward for the exceptional work of the pupils themselves and of the talented and committed teaching staff at Christ College.”

She added: “I share the scepticism expressed by many in the educational profession about statistics and league tables; what counts is that each pupil has been encouraged, challenged and nurtured to allow them to find their interests and fulfil their potential. I am proud of each and every one of them; I know they will enjoy a well-earned party now that the results are in their hands.”

Photo: Tiggy, David, Emily and Ben all celebrate straight As!

Pupil selected for the Great Britain Junior Target Rifle Squad

Josceline Beaumont, a pupil at Christ College Brecon, has been selected as a member of the Great Britain Junior Target Rifle Squad to shoot at an international competition in Oldenburg, Germany this weekend and early next week.

Josceline, who is from Abergavenny, is just 14 and a Year 10 pupil. She will join her Team GB colleagues on Friday at the home of UK shooting in Bisley, Surrey before departing for Germany.

According to GB Squad Manager Mrs E Woodhall: “At Oldenburg the system of .22 shooting may come as a surprise to some of the GB team.” Mrs Woodhall explained: “In this system, you shoot on tables that are about two feet off the ground. Some targets are in Gehmann boxes that move the targets on electronically, but the rest are on a system of fly-by-wire that act like giant air rifle target changers.”

Josceline has also been selected to shoot for Wales in the Five Nations competition in France in June, subject to her GCSE commitments.

Head of Christ College Emma Taylor said: “To have been selected to represent your country is huge honour in itself, but to have been selected as one of the best of the best and to represent GB … well it doesn’t get any better than that! Josceline is such a talent and the whole school is very proud of her selection.”

Christ College Cultural Tour of Rome