There was a real buzz in the Great Hall this morning as our Upper Sixth students returned to collect their A level results and celebrate with friends and staff.
With our best results to date across the board, there were lots of happy faces. Nearly 60% of papers taken achieved an A* or A grade, with 40% of students awarded three or more A* or A grades.
Our bespoke approach to A level options saw students take 28 different subjects, including modern and classical languages, music technology and dance. Of the 26 students who opted for Further Mathematics, an impressive 92% achieved an A*/A, an incredible achievement for everyone involved.
Asked about this year’s success, Matthew Pattie, Deputy Head, Academic, said it was testament to the tenacity and hard work of the students, many of whom have achieved so much while continuing to focus on their music, performance and sporting passions.
“They should all be incredibly proud of themselves. Our BGS framework of learning helps students to connect long- and short-term memory to embed knowledge. We’ve leveraged this across our teaching and assemblies but, most impressively, the students have put this into practice in their own learning and revision.
“Combined with their commitment and hard work, it’s wonderful to see how they’ve really excelled, not just in their A level results, but in continuing to take part in the breadth of opportunity on offer.”
Speaking to the students themselves, their appreciation of their time at BGS and excitement for their next adventure was palpable.
“I really knuckled down to study for A levels and am excited to be going off to uni. It will be a big change, but I feel ready for it!” said Tom, who has secured a place at UWE Bristol to read Robotics. Remaining in Bristol was critical for Tom so that he could continue playing for the city’s U19 ice hockey team, a sport he successfully juggled with his studies, throughout his time at BGS.
Harriet, who is heading off to Oxford to read Biomedical Sciences, is a great example of squeezing it all in. Having just returned from representing Great Britain in the European Water Polo Championships, she was thrilled to obtain three A*s and an A. She will be heading there with Naomi, who will be reading History and English.
A keen cello player, in her time away from the pool Harriet has also been a core member of the Music Department, singing in the choir and playing in the orchestra.
In addition to a well-earned break over the summer, Khandi has led a group of Upper Sixth students in compiling the leavers’ yearbook, which students were excitedly collecting after receiving their results. Juggling her studies with early-morning sports practices throughout her time at BGS, Khandi, (as well as her mum who joined her in the Great Hall today), is thrilled to have secured her place to study Interior Design at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Our outstanding Future Pathways team, who work with students from Year 7, were pivotal in supporting the Upper Sixth in their choices. They were on hand to navigate each individuals’ next steps and to offer advice across the range of possible options and courses available as students started to think about future careers.
With students heading off to read subjects as diverse as Medicine, Law, Musical Performance and Dance, Architecture, Geography and Neuroscience, the breadth of destinations truly showcases the wide-ranging opportunities they have embraced and thrown themselves into during their years at BGS.
We wish them every luck on their new adventures. Thank you to all of them, and to their parents and carers, for their energy, inspiration and contribution to the BGS community. A massive congratulations to them all! We look forward to welcoming them back as Old Bristolians and continuing to hear about their exciting endeavours.
