IN FOCUS 2021
A L e v e l Re s u l t s 2 0 2 1 Upper Sixth students celebrated in August following their A Level results and now continue their educational journey at leading universities and apprenticeships across the UK. Mr Vicars, comments: ‘The results are not just about statistics, but a chance to reflect on the journey these very special students have been on throughout the majority of their Sixth Form studies. Over the last 18 months, this cohort of 58 students have shown remarkable perspective, resilience and academic courage as they have overcome one hurdle after another to deliver these individual and collective results. Their approach to the March and May assessments in particular, key data points in calculating the Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) this year was memorable, and made staff very proud; their focus, and desire to take responsibility for their learning and outcomes was at a level we have perhaps not seen before. Throughout this journey, they have been supported through periods of remote learning and bespoke catch-up by a teaching and support staff team that have gone above and beyond in supporting the academic progress and mental welfare of the students – the focus on each individual’s needs has been very special to observe.
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This year’s cohort, many of whom started back in Pre-Prep fifteen years ago, has always been known to possess a highly academic ‘top end’, matched only by their brilliant attitude to learning. Fifteen students have achieved 3 or more A* across their subjects; three students now take up their places at Oxbridge, studying Land Economy, Economics & Management and Medicine, alongside a further four medics at medical schools across the country. Other students follow their passions to take up Russell University places in subjects ranging from Physiotherapy to Politics & International Relations, Engineering to English Literature & Philosophy. A number of students, inspired by the cocurricular provision, move on to study music and drama at leading institutions, while an apprenticeship at Microsoft has been added to recent years’ apprenticeship destinations at the BBC, Redrow and Auger. Perhaps even more importantly, are the skills that these students now take with them on their journeys beyond Birkenhead School, safe in the knowledge that they have got the resources and adaptability to survive, even thrive, when confronted with adversity. In summary, the approach of this cohort to what has been thrown at them this year will live long in staff memories and we could not be prouder of them.’
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