Today is A Level results day and pupils in schools across Wokingham borough – and just over the border – are celebrating their grades.
We’ll be bringing you updates from the schools as we get them.
Results overview
2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | Extra Costs 2015-16 vs 2017-18 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
WBC Salaries | £23,496,584.49 | £23,898,370.42 | £23,520,203.77 | £23,619.28 |
Total Agency Spend (including non-Matrix) | £4,017,165.64 | £4,750,201.35 | £7,811,563.03 | £3,794,397.39 |
Total Consultancy Costs | £5,795,100.38 | £8,306,393.50 | £9,634,295.56 | £3,839,195.18 |
Total Redundancy Costs | £32,005.19 | £74,115.88 | £254,363.52 | £222,358.33 |
Total Sick Pay | £72,454.60 | £92,383.56 | £96,708.88 | £24,254.28 |
Totals | £33,413,310.30 | £37,121,464.71 | £41,317,134.76 | £7,903,824.46 |
The Abbey School
The school said that this year, its sixth formers are celebrating one of its best-ever set of results, with 92% of entrants getting A*-B grades and almost two-thirds – 64% – scoring A*-A.
One of its students, Lottie Orr, has been offered a rowing scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a member of Great Britain’s junior rowing squad.
Other pupils will be going to different universities to study a range of subjects including Medicine, Law, Economics, English, Languages, Geography, War Studies and Chemical Physics.
The Abbey said that maths remains one of its most popular A Level subjects with 100% achieving grades A*- B.
Philosophy was successful with 90% of girls scoring A*- A.
And Sixth Formers who took the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma earlier this year also had success. Almost half of the girls scored 40 points or more, out of a maximum 45 points, with two girls achieving the full 45 points.
Rachel Dent, Head of The Abbey, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our A-level and IB results this year. This is the culmination of years of hard work by students and teachers, who have once again excelled.
“Whether they are accepting a place at a top university, entering the rapidly changing job market, taking up an apprenticeship, or heading off on a gap year, I’m confident that whatever option they pursue, these young women will go on to fulfil their potential.
“These excellent A-level and IB results open up extraordinary opportunities for our students which allow them to make ambitious choices and to flourish in a future of their own making.
“These girls have supported each other and have worked really hard – their success is very well deserved.”
Bracknell and Wokingham College
The college enjoyed a 99% pass rate, with 40% of students receiving A* to B and 72% obtaining A* to C.
In a statement, Head of A Levels, GCSEs and Creative Arts, Ginette Cox said: “Yet again, our students have done themselves proud by producing a fabulous set of results. This is testament to their hard work and the tireless efforts of teachers to support them.
“It was great to see students grow in confidence as they progressed through the year. All of the additional effort that students and teachers have put in, including all the additional revision sessions that were provided, has really paid off. They have now been presented with terrific results, with some students achieving exceptional A* grades.
“We aim to add value to every student that walks through our door so that when they leave they are ready for whatever they set their sights on, be it university or the world of work. We can help make that happen.”
Student Leah Runnacles, 18, studied biology, maths and chemistry has been accepted into Nottingham University, having received an A in biology, B in maths and a C in chemistry.
She said: “I feel lucky that I got into university.”
Jack Readings, 18, was thrilled with his A Level results, having received an A* in maths, A* in accounting and an A in AS further maths.
He said: “I’ve done better than I thought I would, I was aiming for three As and I’ve come out with 2 A*s and an A.”
Jack was planning to go into the RAF but with his grades, he is now considering going to University, possibly the London School of Economics to pursue maths and statistics.
Oliver Nelson, 19, received an A in maths and further maths. He received an A in maths and an A in further maths. He is now going on to study maths at Cardiff University.
His mum, Tessa, said: “Oliver has been brilliantly supported here. They’ve helped him in such a way that he’s managed to get the grades he wanted.
“The teaching and support have been amazing at Bracknell & Wokingham College.”
Bulmershe School
The headteacher of Bulmershe has praised pupils for their efforts with their A Levels.
In a statement, Amanda Woodfin said: “Although the students and teachers have had to cope with many national exam specification changes, we are delighted that the extremely high results for a wide range of students have been maintained.
“Nearly all of our students have already had their university places confirmed.”
The school said that it had received particularly good performances across a range of subjects, including:
- 35% of Mathematics A level grades were awarded the top A*/A grade
- In Further Maths 20% and in Chemistry 22% were awarded the top A*/A grade.
- 86% of Art grades, 50% of Business and History and 33% of English grades achieved A*-B.
- In BTEC Dance and Travel and Tourism 100% of the group received a Distinction or Distinction
And Ms Woodfin also highlighted the success of individual students.
Sam achieved three A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Sam has been accepted into Manchester University to read Physics with Astrophysics.
Margaret achieved an A in Biology and Maths and a B in Geography. Margaret has decided to take a gap year before going to University.
Gemma achieved an A grade in Maths, a B in Further Maths and Physics. Gemma has been accepted into Royal Holloway to read Physics.
Antoaneta achieved A*in Maths, A in Business Studies and a B in Physics. Antoaneta has been accepted into Manchester University to read Physics.
She added: “We wish our leavers all the best for their bright futures ahead and thank them for their many contributions to school life at Bulmershe.”
Edgbarrow School
Edgbarrow sixth formers are celebrating what the Crowthorne school says are fantastic grade.
A Level students achieved 58% A*-B (UCAS equivalency) and had a 100% pass rate in the new Vocational courses.
Headteacher Stuart Matthews said: “We are so pleased that so many of them achieved their ambitious targets and we wish them all the best for the coming years.
“We have built on last year’s excellent results (in both A Level and Vocational subjects) and we’re grateful for the superb support of students’ families and the hard work of staff who, together, have helped to make this happen.”
Two of its students will be going to Cambridge – Megan Hardy (Natural Sciences) with A* A* A* and Anna Gray (History) with A*AAB. The school also has three future doctors and a future vet.
Mr Matthews added: “A lot of other students will be going to elite universities or wonderful apprenticeships and we are delighted for them. 53 students gained at least AAB at A Level, and 65 students achieved at least ABB or equivalent.”
Emmbrook School
More than a fifth of pupils at Emmbrook School achieve A* or A grades in this year’s A Level results – exceeding the target set by teaching staff. And half of students achieved A*-B grades, with three quarters finding A*-C grades in their papers.
A third (33%) of all pupils achieved at least one A grade.
The Emmbrook’s headteacher, Paul O’Neill, said in a statement: “These results are a credit to all of our students’ hard work, their families’ support and the relentless commitment of their teachers to achieve the very best outcomes possible.
“This year in particular, we are delighted to have exceeded our ambitious targets for the proportion of grades achieved at the highest level.
“We are determined that pupils should achieve outstanding results and our actions to secure this are driving rapid improvements across the school.”
A significant proportion of students achieved the highest grades of A*/A in a wide range of subjects, including: Drama 50%, Geography 30%, German 100%, History 38%, Maths 31%, Further Maths 50% and Religious Studies 31%.
Pete Ging, the Sixth Form Leader said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the outstanding success of our students in their A-Levels this year. Students have worked incredibly hard over the course of their two years in the Sixth Form and their diligence has definitely paid off, with the majority looking forward to the excitement of progressing to their chosen universities.
Four students had straight As: William McClymont had three A*s in Maths, Further Maths & Physics, Torin Fastnedge got A* A A for Maths, Further Maths & Chemistry, William Davitt had three As for Maths, Further Maths & Computer Science and Jamie Fowler also got three As, but for Maths, English Literature & History.
Forest School
The Forest School has congratulated its sixth formers, saying that it is delighted with another great set of A level results despite the changing nature of A Level exam specifications.
In the results, 94% of students achieved their university place of choice, with remaining students progressing into alternative provision, including degree apprenticeships.
More than 34.3% of students achieved A*-B. Over 62% achieved A*-C and the overall pass rate reached nearly 98%.
Ofsted recognised the sixth form provision at The Forest School as ‘Good’.
Stuart Jackman, Head of Forest Sixth said: “Congratulations to all students and staff on their preparation and performance, once again we are delighted to celebrate their hard work, determination and their success, and wish them all the best for the future, whatever they choose to do.”
The Holt School
Twelve students from The Holt achieved at least three A/A* grades, while another 13 achieved at least 2 A/A*s/
Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce, the school’s joint headteachers, said: “We are very pleased with another excellent year of A Level examination results. Our students were a great year group who worked very hard and are fully deserving of their success.
“There were many instances of individuals who did exceptionally well; many of whom exceeded their target grades.
“Thank you to our dedicated staff for all their hard work; thanks must also go to the parents for their continued support which we have very much appreciated.
“We wish all our students the very best as they move on to university, apprenticeships or employment.”
Leighton Park
Students celebrated a strong set of results at Leighton Park , seeing an increase in the number of pupils receiving top grades.
Head of Sixth Form Helen Taylor said: “The increase in our percentage of A*-B grades to 61.7% this year is excellent news. It is testament to the quality of teaching for the new linear A Levels, and the hard work and application of our students who met and exceeded the grades required by their Russell Group Universities.”
And the Shinfield school’s deputy head (academic), Karen Gracie-Langrick, added, “In contrast to many schools, we encourage students to study four AS Levels in the Lower Sixth. It is excellent preparation for their full A Levels, offering a secure measure of rigorous academic performance, and it maintains greater breadth of subjects for as long as possible. Indeed, several of our students enjoy their AS Level subjects so much, they go on to do four full A Levels.”
Some of the pupils that the school is celebrating include Jonty Hyde, who took four A Levels (A*AAB) and was awarded a 7, the highest possible mark, in the Philosophy module of his International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
He is looking forward to reading Film Studies at Warwick after a gap year in Japan.
He said: “I’m really pleased. Thankfully the results were what I was expecting and I am grateful to everyone for being so supportive whenever I needed it.”
And 15-year-old Rowan Taylor received an A grade for creative writing.
The Year 10 student said: “I really wasn’t very good at writing before I joined Leighton Park, but the teacher who ran the Creative Writing hobby was so encouraging and helpful; he really pushed me to do the AS Level last year and the A Level this year. I am so pleased I did.”
Luckley House
At least half of Luckley’s students achieved at least one A* or A grade – and a quarter of them received at least three or more A* or A grades.
Headteacher Jane Tudor said: “A real source of pride for the school is the fact that these grades are spread across the curriculum, from Maths and Further Maths, through Languages, English Literature and Art to Economics and all three Sciences.
“The students are now advancing to a variety of top universities to study courses such as Architecture, Pharmacology, Law, Economics and Maths.
The creative arts and sports related courses are also represented in the university and career choices.”
LVS Ascot
Sixty students took A Level and BTEC exams at LVS Ascot, and the school had a 98.3% pass rate.
A number of students have extra reasons for celebrating their success.
The school said Riley Thrower has won a prestigious sponsored degree with Santander, having passed a seven-stage interview process which over 10,000 people applied for.
Riley made it to the final 48, and was awarded one of a handful of level 7 apprenticeships in corporate investment banking. He joined LVS Ascot on a sports scholarship, enjoyed results including an A in graphics and a B in business studies.
Mum Amanda said: “Having joined in Year 7 Riley has developed a really strong work ethic at LVS Ascot. He has a great relationship with his teachers which has really helped, and has taken every opportunity that the school has provided him with which has turned him into a very assured individual”.
Elsewhere, George Alcock, 18, received A*A B and will go to Newcastle University to study Business Management, whilst Head Boy Oliver Bonnett is going to study Product Design at Bournemouth University.
Alex Hill was accompanied to collect his results by parents Chris and Sarah, who met when they were both pupils at LVS and have now put all four of their children through the school.
Alex, who has devised, produced and starred in his own stage productions at LVS Ascot, received three Bs and will now go on to drama school.
His father Chris, who returned with Sarah to LVS Ascot for the annual alumni event in June, said: “It is 17 years now since we put our first child into LVS Ascot. Matt now runs his own business in London, Emma is a teacher and Jonny is studying at Perth University in Australia.
“We love that whilst there is an academic focus there is also so much focus on character development at LVS Ascot – creating confident, well rounded individuals. It has a real community feel to it, and the teachers have all found a way to work with Alex who is very much his own person”.
LVS Ascot principal Christine Cunniffe said: “The first year of results under the A-level reforms has proven to be, as expected, very difficult for students with a drop nationally in the overall pass rate and the proportion of students achieving grade C or above. We are delighted that despite this LVS Ascot’s proportion of A* results has risen, and that our students have stood up well in the face of a more demanding challenge.”
Maiden Erlegh School
The school said that it is delighted with how its students performed in this year’s A Levels.
In a statement, headteacher Mary Davies said: “This year continued to see the roll out of new and more challenging A Level specifications and our students have risen to the challenge again, improving on last year’s performance. 53% of grades were between B and A* and 26% of A Level grades were A or A* (with 5% A*).
“We would also like to thank the staff for all their hard work and expertise in teaching and supporting the students over the course of their studies. Mostly, however, we should like to congratulate all our sixth form students on their impressive results and wish them well for the future, wherever that will take them.”
Piggott
The A Level pass rate at The Piggott School was 99%, and almost two-thirds of pupils received an A* or B grade. 83% of pupils achieved grades of A*-C.
Headteacher DJ Gray said in a statement: “Our students and staff work exceptionally hard and this is once again shown in each of our Academic, Applied General and Technical results.
“Our vocational Level 3 results for Applied General qualifications at Distinction star to Merit were 86% with every student passing each course. For Technical subject entry 94% of grades were at Distinction Star.
“This once again shows our school as a centre of excellence for Academic, Applied General and Technical learning.
“I wish all our students the very best for their future and thank all the teaching and support staff for their continued dedication and professionalism.”
Queen Anne’s
Staff at Queen Anne’s in Caversham say that they are delighted with an excellent set of A Level results: 40% of all grades at A*A and 69% at A*, A or B.
Headmistress Julia Harrington said: “I could not be more proud of the girls’ achievements; they have been a fantastic year group who have been dedicated to their studies and building their futures.
“They now go on to take up their places at universities in the UK, Holland and the USA, as well as to degree apprenticeships.”
Girls will be embarking on an exciting range of courses, including: Mechanical Engineering, Law, Interior Architecture, Criminology, Mathematics, Theatre & Performance Studies, International Relations and Biomedical Sciences.
This year 43% of the year group chose to study STEM subjects, with 44% of grades achieved at A*-A and 29% of girls choosing to continue to study STEM subjects at university.
Daphne will study Mechanical Engineering at University of Bath following her 2 A*, 2 A’s. Alice will go to University of Birmingham to study Chemistry with Industrial Experience having achieved 2 A*, A.
Heather will study Psychology at University of Bath following her A*, 2 A’s and Katherine will also be going to University of Bath to study Chemistry with Management with her 3 A’s.
Nia successfully gained A*, 2 A’s and an A for her EPQ and will now make the move to Holland, to Radbound University to study Biomedical Sciences.
Kirsty will take up a Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship at PACCAR and Camille, with two Bs and a performance diploma on the violin has secured a place to study music at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
100% of girls who undertook the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) achieved grades A*-B. The EPQ encourages independent thinking and learning for undergraduate study and is driven primarily by the girls. Interesting subject titles included: The power of the mind: the efficacy of alternative medicine and Can we harness the power of the placebo effect? which saw Chloe achieve an A* that contributed to securing her place at University of Southampton to study Medicine.
Reading Blue Coat School
Reading Blue Coat School is celebrating another excellent set of A Level results, with 93.8% at A*-C and 100% at A*-E.
A total of 32 students from the Sonning school achieved all A*s and As, with Jamie Rowe and Tom Cobley attaining four A*s, Head Girl Kukua Blankson achieving three A*s, and two students – Tom Lightning and Alex Parkhurst – confirming their offers to study Medicine.
Headteacher Jesse Elzinga said: “I am absolutely delighted with these A Level results, which represent the hard work of our pupils, staff and supportive families.
“It is pleasing to have such impressive statistics again this year, which demonstrates once again the tremendous academic progress that the School has made over the past five years.
“Yet more important than the numbers are the many success stories of the pupils – it is wonderful to see the success at the top end, as well as a range of pupils performing to the best of their ability.
“I am perhaps most proud of the fact that the vast majority of our leavers are taking up their first choice university places; we are delighted that our leavers are so well positioned for the next stage of their educational journey.
“Well done to all and one last time, I wish our leavers every success.”
And there were some interesting stories from the school.
Jamie Rowe received four A*s the day before his 18th birthday.
The grades, in chemistry, maths, further maths and physics, will allow him to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge.
Jamie follows in the Oxbridge footsteps of his father, Philip, who studied at Oxford. Philip was the Academic Deputy Head at Blue Coat until he took over headship of Silcoates School in Yorkshire in September last year.
Head Girl Kukua Blankson’s three A*s in Art, Economics and Psychology will allow her to take up her offer to study Liberal Arts at Exeter – focusing on Psychology.
“I’m feeling good … relieved,” she said.
Foundation Scholar Theo Beckett, adds to the long line of successful Blue Coat foundationers: he obtained 2 A*s and an A, which enable him to take up his offer to study Pharmacology at Leeds University, having turned down an offer to study Medicine at Birmingham. He said he feels “very good” about his results and “had no clue what to expect!”
“People told me to make the most of my time at Blue Coat”, Theo added, “and I feel like I have. I’ve had an amazing time.”
Not all Blue Coat students will go straight to university, some will be taking a gap year.
Blue Coat’s 1st VIII cox Freddie Bryce will be heading to Tauranga in New Zealand to spend his gap year coaching rowing at the Tauranga Rowing Club and at Tauranga Girls’ College, as well as working part-time in a local bar. When he returns, he’ll be studying Business Management at Oxford Brookes, where he plans to continue his rowing.
Another rower, Ed Martin, who recently cycled with four classmates from Land’s end to John O’Groats to raise money for charity, will work as a chalet host in France for sixth months during his gap year, before returning to study PPE at Exeter.
Cricketer James Rogers, who recently made his debut for the Middlesex 2nd XI, will spend the year participating in a gap year programme at the prestigious Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Australia, as well as training and playing in the UK, before starting his degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds University.
Reddam House
Headteacher Tammy Howard said: “We were delighted with our A Level results this year which continue the improving trend for Reddam House. The students’ results were pleasing overall, with the important indicator of percentage A*s and As was our best ever at 31%.
“While we want to congratulate our students on some great performances, a special mention to Martina Orvosova who achieved her Cambridge offer with A*A*A*A – a first for the school and an inspiration for those who follow behind.”
St Crispin’s
A quarter of all St Crispin’s pupils achieved A* or A grades, while 99% of pupils passed.
Headteacher Ginny Rhodes said: “We are so proud of our students’ achievements: these results reflect their commitment to their studies and hours and hours of hard work.”
Among those who achieved stellar results were:
Thomas Cornish (A*AA) is off to the University of Exeter to read Mathematics. The Senior Prefect and has actively sought out a range of wider curricular opportunities in order to broaden his learning.
Elinor Harvey (A*AA) will go to University of Nottingham to read Geography. The school said that she is a superb team leader following her participation in the Wilderness Expertise trip to Nepal and in roles such as that of Senior Prefect.
Jay Le Papin (AAA) will attend the University of Surrey to read Computer Science. The school says that he acts upon advice in order to perform to the highest standard.
Matthew Lucas (A*AB) is off to the University of Sussex to read Business and Management Studies (with a professional placement year). St Crispin’s said he has a genuine interest in Business and takes every opportunity to enhance his knowledge and skills and has also served as a Senior Prefect.
An Accountancy apprenticeship with EY (formerly Ernst and Young) is in store for Lydia Shaw (A*AB). Said to be one of St Crispin’s most organised and self-motivated students and the schools is proud of all she has achieved.
Gabriella Silvestre-Lloyd (AAB) will heads to Kings College at the University of London to read Biomedical Science. She has represented the school on many occasions and was a Senior Prefect and a Year 7 Reading Mentor.
And Catrin Rose (AAB) is off to the University of Manchester to read Mathematics. She has represented the school on numerous occasions and was a Senior Prefect and a Year 11 Student Ambassador.
St Joseph’s
Almost four in 10 pupils at St Joseph’s achieved an A* or A grade in this year’s A Levels.
The Upper Redlands Road school said that all of its students will go on to university, planning to study subjects as diverse as Veterinary Science, Music, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Global Sustainable Development.
Headteacher Andrew Colpus said: “We would like to wish all Year 13 students our warmest congratulations on their excellent A Level results this year.”
A delighted Rachel Myles achieved three A* grades, and will be going to Royal Holloway to study History.
She said: “I’m so happy with my results. I’ve been at St Joseph’s since Year 7 and I’ve grown so much as a person. My confidence has developed through the years, and the school has really helped me to cope with my workload, especially during Sixth Form.
“I’ve also appreciated the personal help from my tutor with university applications.”
And Abi Elliott has been at the school since Year 3. She said she will miss its sense of community when she goes on to study Occupational Therapy at Southampton University.
“I love that we get to socialise and collaborate with different age groups,” she said. “St Joseph’s is not just a school, it’s a great community. If you ever need anything, the teachers are always there for you.”
She is delighted with her grades of A*A*B.
Students have also studied for the Extended Project Qualification, which forms part of the Sixth Form curriculum, with 35 % of students gaining an A*. This helps them to study at a deeper level and prepares them for the research and independent study they will be expected to undertake at university. Topics for these have been as diverse as “To what extent was Elizabeth I’s image as ‘the Virgin Queen’ crafted?” and “Is the development of nuclear energy the answer to the earth’s environmental crisis?”
Mr Colpus added: “All our students have performed exceptionally well and have achieved excellent results, as well as skills such as commitment, confidence, collaboration and communication, that will ensure that they are successful both at university and beyond in their future careers.”
Waingels College
In a statement, Woodley’s Waingels College said: “Congratulations to all our A Level students who have again done themselves and Waingels proud.
There are, of course, some really outstanding achievements, but what is really heartening is the solid strength and depth of results with the vast majority of students getting into their university or apprenticeship of first choice.
“Set against the backdrop of new, linear and tougher specifications, the results bear testimony to students’ hard work and the dedication of their teachers.
“Worthy of particular mention are Jonathan van Es, three A*s and Katie Long two A*s and two AS grades; Jonathan is off to Cambridge to study Maths while Katie is going to Imperial College, London to study Biological Sciences.”
Where’s the Bohunt School? The new secondary school for Arborfield doesn’t have any A Level or GCSE students this year.