5 minute read
Education
Students’ ‘awesome achievements’
Students at King Arthur’s School in Wincanton have been celebrating success in their GCSE exams and vocational qualifi cations.
This year’s exams were the fi rst formal examinations since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eleanor Bowman was among the top performers receiving ten GCSEs, gaining one grade 9, one Distinction*, three grade 8s and fi ve grade 7s. She also achieved a Level 3 Free Standing Additional Maths qualifi cation. Eleanor is moving on to study A-levels in Maths, Chemistry and English at Yeovil College.
Ben Morris gained a Distinction*, one grade 8, four grade 7s, two grade 6s, two Merit 2 and a grade B (Level 3) in his Free Standing Additional Maths. Ben is going on to study A-levels in Maths, Physics and English Language at The Gryphon School Sixth Form.
Katie Bolan will be studying a mixture of Sciences, Maths and English at A-level at Yeovil College after achieving two grade 8s, four grade 7s and four grade 6s.
Some 16 per cent of students are taking up apprenticeships locally, including Harry Cropper at Thales Engineering, which has a prestigious apprenticeship programme. Harvey Lane secured his land-based apprenticeship through Wiltshire College and University at the start of his Key Stage 4 studies.
Two students are moving to the newer T-level vocational courses, with the remaining 80 per cent of Year 11 moving to studies at college or sixth-form.
Headteacher Jen Jacklin said: “We are extremely proud of all the hard work and awesome achievements of our students. After what has been a disrupted and diffi cult time, our students have risen to the challenge and demonstrated resilience and commitment to their success. As a school, we congratulate each and every student for their individual success and send our very best wishes for their future studies.
“The improvement since the last set of formal exams in 2019 is signifi cant and exciting, and demonstrates what a rapidly improving school King Arthur’s is. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to support students to ensure they could achieve and take their next steps. As always, we will be thrilled to hear what our students achieve in the future and look forward to them joining our school alumni so we can stay in touch.”
School has lots of high achievers
Students at The Gryphon School in Sherborne have been celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results. Fourteen students gained ten or more GCSE grades equivalent to the old A* grade and 39 gained fi ve or more grades at that level.
Headteacher Nicki Edwards said: “I couldn’t be more proud of all of our students. They have battled through three years of disruption in their education and have achieved these amazing results despite all of the challenges.
“We look forward to welcoming many of them into our sixth-form, and wish those students going on to apprenticeships and college courses all the very best for their future. I am very grateful for all of the eff ort put in by our incredible team of staff to support all of our students in enabling them to reach their full potential.” to reach their full potential.”
Head of Year 11 Laura Bucke said: “The achievements of this year group are a refl ection of their resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity throughout their GCSE years. I am proud of each and every one of them.”
Olympia Pudelko, who achieved 13 grade 9s, and her friends Sophie Lord and Imogen Kimber, said: “Thank you to all our teachers. We are so proud of everyone and teachers. We are so proud of everyone and feel shell-shocked!”
Ben Titus was feeling ‘super proud and over-the-moon’ as he joins The Gryphon sixth-form, as are Barney Griffi ths and Liv Bowditch – Barney saying: “I am very happy and looking forward to the next steps.” Liv said she was happy and excited to get the grades she needed for her A-levels.
Hard works pays at GCSE, says head
Students at Shaftesbury School achieved excellent GCSE results and BTEC grades this year.
The number of students achieving fi ve or more 4+ grades, including Maths and English, has improved, with many subjects securing at least 80 per cent of their entries at grade 4+.
The subjects which achieved these excellent outcomes were: the Arts, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, French, Religious Studies, Drama, History and Maths.
Headteacher Donna London-Hill said: “We are thrilled with these results. They are a testament to the hard work of our students and staff who have worked in partnership to secure these high outcomes.
“We all know that the past few years have been tough, but the resilience and determination shown by our young people is just brilliant, and it goes to show that hard work does pay off .
“The students were relieved and delighted with the results they received today and it was lovely to see so many happy faces – it means they are able to move onto their next steps, which is great.”
Lots of students were keen to thank their teachers for the support and guidance they had been off ered for the duration of their courses.
Happy faces of students at Shaftesbury School – headteacher Donna London-Hill praised youngsters’ resilience and determination.
Parents can see school in action
Parents thinking of sending their children to Sturminster Newton High School can visit during the school day next week to see the school in action.
Students and staff will be showing parents around and answering their questions from Monday (19 September). The school said: “Sturminster Newton High School sets high standards for academic and personal achievement within the ethos of a smaller school setting.
“One of its strengths is that it knows its students well and can help them succeed on a personal level. Young people leaving this school will be confi dent individuals with the necessary ‘lifeskills’ for further success at university, college or in employment.
“The school believes in educating students academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually to support and challenge them to achieve their best.”
To visit during the afternoon next week, contact the school offi ce for an appointment at offi ce@mysnhs.net
n The school’s open evening for
