STUDENTS from Matravers School have been praised by the school for their resilience as they celebrated their A-level, BTec and GCSE results, following a tough two years of education during the pandemic.
This year marks the first since the pandemic began where grades are awarded following exams, rather than teacher-assessed grades. Last week, students collected their GCSE results, which followed sixth form students receiving their A-level and BTec results the previous week.
Headteacher, Dr Simon Riding said, “The resilience pupils have shown under such difficult conditions over the past two years has been remarkable. Our pupils, as always, have been exceptional.”
Top A-level performers
Top A-level performers included Joel Foskett who gained A*A*A*A and is off to Loughborough University to read aeronautical engineering. Kirsten Lacey gained AAA and an A in her extended project qualification and is going to study chemistry at Warwick University, where she will be joined by music-loving Hattie Fordred. Matthew Clinch is going to the University of Southampton to study ship science, having achieved AAA in his A-levels and an A in his extended project.
GCSE successes
Commenting on the GCSE results, the school said, “Whilst we celebrate the results of all pupils, we would particularly like to congratulate Amber Gates (8 grade 9s, 1 grade 8 and 1 D*), CJ Button (3 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s and 1 D*), Ella Saffhill (3 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s and 1 D*), Amy Wheeler (2 Grade 9s, 5 grade 8s, 1 grade 7 and 1 D*), Lily Morris (2 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 1 grade 7, 1 grade 6, 1 D* and 1 D), Sophie Leonard (2 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s, and 1 grade 6) and Lyla Hawes (5 grade 9s. 2 grade 8s,1 grade 7, 1 grade 6 and 1 D*). We also would like to congratulate Lily Jones, Paige Canon, RJ Barden, Alfie Lee, Tegan Marks, and Abby Dougherty who all achieved excellent progress through their brilliant exam results.
“Following the reintroduction of terminal exams we have always known that this year was going to be a ‘transition year’ between 2021 (when assessment was completed directly by schools and colleges) and 2019 (the last year exams took place). The Class of 2022 responded superbly to the demands posed by these exams.
Director of Post-16 at the school, Ian Browning, commenting on the A-Level results, said, “We are immensely proud of our students who have had to cope with the significant challenges of the past two and a half years. Their education has been impacted by two lockdowns, periods of individual isolation and not even having the experience of sitting exams for their GCSEs. And yet, these impressive young people have come through all of this and prospered. They thoroughly deserve their success.”
Matravers Sixth Form specialises in a highly successful ‘mixed pathway’ of A-levels and BTecs, which allows students to move on to prestigious and competitive destinations. Among the successful students this year is Sammy Kirk who got a Distinction* in her BTec to go with her A and B at A-level, allowing her to study exercise and sport science at Exeter. Sofia Mistretta achieved the same results and is going to read business at Southampton.
Rachel Godden’s hard work was rewarded with an A* and B in her A-levels, a D* in a BTec and a B in an extended project; she is going to train to be a mental health nurse at Gloucester. Elliott Scott achieved a Distinction* in a BTec and A* B at A level and is going on to read Italian and English literature at the University of Cardiff.
Luke Morris gained a Distinction*, A and B and is going to Cardiff Met to study sport and exercise science, Emily Jenkin is going to study tourism at Bedford, having achieved two Distinctions*, an A- level and a B in her extended project, and Lucy Laville is off to Bournemouth to study business and management with a Distinction* and two B grades.
Students studying solely Btecs have also excelled, including Sophie Campbell and Rhiannon Greatwood, both of whom achieved two Distinctions and a Distinction and both have loved their education so much that they are off to train to be teachers!
The vast majority of students have secured places at universities of their choice. Harry Thorne is going to read law at Swansea, where he will be joined by Caitlin Flynn studying international tourism. Noah Coleman and Nick Brisdon are both going on to study sport and exercise science at Oxford Brookes and Cardiff Metropolitan respectively. Luke Crockford-Ward will be studying architecture at Plymouth, Phoebe Craig is going to Gloucestershire to read criminology, Jas Rudman to Bournemouth to study psychology and Ben Till is off to Bath Spa for an English literature and philosophy and ethics degree. Elleana Tugwell will be studying early childhood at Plymouth Marjon University.
Speaking about the GCSE results, headteacher Dr Simon Riding, said, “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of the Matravers family. Our pupils and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure our pupils are all able to move on to their chosen Post 16 Pathway. We are delighted that that so many of our Year 11’s will continue their educational journey with the Matravers family by joining our thriving 6th Form in September.
“To the pupils who are moving on to apprenticeships and Post 16 colleges, we wish them luck and look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future as part of the extend Matravers family alumni.”
• The Matravers School Sixth Form has a broad range of subjects available to new entrants this September. Students can opt to study from a wide range of traditional A-level subjects, alongside more vocational qualifications in subjects such as business, IT, health and social care, sport and media.
There are a few places still available and any student who is interested in joining this growing success story should contact Ian Browning (director, Post-16) as soon as possible.
