BGS students are today celebrating a fantastic set of A level results, and we congratulate them wholeheartedly as they pass this important milestone.
Almost half of our 140 A level students gained three or more A* and A grades, and over a third of all results were at the highest A* grade. This includes eleven pupils who will be taking up places at Oxford and Cambridge, where they will study courses including Arabic, History, Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Classics, Philosophy & Theology, and Physics.
Without the experience of sitting GCSEs to draw on, there were inevitably some nerves as pupils collected the results of their first ever public examinations. After opening his results, Sixth Form student Charlie said:
“I was really nervous coming in today; I just didn’t know how my exams had gone so I really didn’t know what to expect. I’m so pleased with my results (I got 3 As) and I’m looking forward to studying Geography, a subject I love, at my first choice university, Southampton.”
Commenting on the results, BGS Headmaster, Jaideep Barot, said:
“We are incredibly proud of this cohort and the excellent results they have achieved across the board, joining their IB Diploma counterparts who received their outstanding results in July.
“What our brilliant staff at BGS focus on is not simply the final grades that our pupils achieve, but rather the value we add to each of the individuals in our care – the “extra” that they do, and achieve, at BGS that they might not elsewhere. For some, the results they received today may have felt beyond their reach a year or two ago, and they are now going on to the university courses, foundation years, and apprenticeships that they worked so hard for. They should be as proud as we are of what they have achieved.
“For those few who are yet to finalise their next steps, our Higher Education & Careers staff continue to offer support and guidance to help each one find the right path for them.”
Alongside their A levels, many BGS students choose to complete an additional elective qualification. This year, forty pupils opted to undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), achieving a 100% pass rate with an impressive 75% securing an A* or A grade. Other electives included Maths Studies, Creative Writing and the Sports Leader qualification, which together with the huge range of co-curricular activities at BGS, means that each pupil can plot a course which suits them.
Millie, who joined BGS Sixth Form from a local state school, was equally pleased with her results of A*, A*, B in Business Studies, Design Technology and Biology. After an Art Foundation course, Millie will study Primary Education with an Art and Design specialism, in Plymouth from 2023. She said:
“I’ve loved my time in the Sixth Form at BGS and I am so glad I moved here. I’ve made some brilliant friends and had so many great experiences – I especially enjoyed the chance to make a film during Lower Sixth, when COVID meant we couldn’t put on a play. The facilities at BGS are fantastic – for DT they are the best of any school I’ve ever seen – and I’m delighted by my results.”
Her father, Paul, added:
“Mille is our second child to attend BGS Sixth Form. Her older sister, Teya, was keen to study Medicine and we felt a move to BGS would give her the best possible chance to get the grades she’d need. Not only did Teya gain her medical place, she had such a brilliant time at BGS that Millie was keen to come here too. As a family, we’ve been delighted by our experience at BGS – it was definitely the right choice.”
Head of Sixth Form Justin Harford said:
“It has been my privilege to watch this group of young people develop over the last two years, not only academically as they have progressed through their studies, but also as a community, offering friendship and support to one another. As for so many young people, recent years have not been without their challenges and I thank their families for the support they have shown to their children and to the school as we have negotiated them together. Our students are leaving us with an excellent foundation in place for the next stage of their lives and I wish them all the best as they move on from BGS.”
Full results by subject are available on our Results & reports page.