Students Celebrate A Level Results
Hanley Castle High School students have coped admirably with the new, tougher A levels introduced during the last two years. The percentage of students achieving top grades in the so-called facilitating subjects has held up well - a brilliant performance considering the additional challenge of the new qualifications. Results in these academic subjects have again ensured that students have secured their places at Russell Group and other top universities. A large proportion of students achieved outstanding individual results. There were a number of star performers, with Vicky Ayling, Aidan Ferrett, Emily Gilchrist and Josh Spiers leading the way.
Vicky Ayling gained two A* grades in biology and geography with an A in chemistry. Vicky is now off to Exeter University to study conservation biology and ecology.
Aidan Ferrett scooped A*s in mathematics and physics, with an A grade in further mathematics. He will now will take up his place at the University of Bath to study mathematics.
Emily Gilchrist gained two A* grades in English literature and history, an A grade in AS geography, a B grade in Spanish and an A* grade in her extended project. Emily, who represented Hanley Castle as its Holocaust Ambassador in the Lessons from Auschwitz project, will now take up her place at Durham University where she will be studying modern languages and history.
Josh Spiers was delighted with his two A* grades in chemistry and physics and A grade in mathematics. Josh is heading off to South Africa to contribute to a number of conservation projects before taking up his place at the University of Warwick in 2019 to study chemistry.
(Continued on next page.)
Iola Ashby was another happy student as she picked up an A* in English language and literature, two A grades in geography and history and an A* in her extended project. Iola will now take up her place at Exeter to read English literature and classical studies.
Isabel Kerr was also a star performer, with an A* in further mathematics, two A grades in mathematics and physics and an A* in her extended project. Isabel is extremely excited to be heading off to St Andrews where she will be studying Astrophysics.
The very high number of A* and A grades achieved by so many students was a key feature of the results. The percentage of A* and A grades was particularly high in mathematics, further mathematics, physics, chemistry, history, economics and English language and literature.
Headteacher, Lindsey Cooke commented ‘This has been a tough year for A level candidates in schools across England. Results are now heavily dependent on students’ performance in a small number of exams right at the end of Year 13. I am so proud of the Year 13 students of Hanley Castle for coping so well with this change and working so hard to maximise their potential. However, this was a year group which achieved much more than its exam results. Their contribution, both to the school and the wider community, has been magnificent. They are high achievers academically, musically and in the sporting arena. I have no doubt that these results represent just the beginning as our wonderful young people spread their wings and enter a wider world of both challenge and opportunity. Hanley Castle will miss them very much and we wish them all future success and happiness as they move on to the next stage in their education and their lives.’