There were hugs, back-slaps, and screams of delight at St John’s Academy in Marlborough this morning as A Level students opened the manilla envelopes that would set plans for university and glowing careers into motion.
Almost 200 students received results, and – said the school – early indications suggested that 140 had secured university places, with all but a handful getting their first choice. Of the remainder, many were taking a gap year or going straight into employment.
High-achievers singled out for praise included Mark Bedford, Tom Blount, Jonny Budd, Lizzie Cope, Tash Copus, Beckie Doyle, Flo Lenehan, Freya Lewis, Nick Millar, Angus Morshead, Annabel Nichols, Rachel Patel, Alex Sadler and Lucy Smith, all of whom achieved at least three A or A* grades.
Assistant vice principal Dan Rogan said: “We focus on all students achieving their best and our students have made excellent progress throughout the last two years across the wide range of subjects we offer. We are particularly proud of the achievements of Molly Wisbey, Jeremy Barker, Will Scott, Serenna Dundas, Asha Hall-Jones, Harriet Salva and Jess Vincent.”
Year 12 students were also collecting AS grades, the last year in which these exams will count towards A Level grades in all subjects.
“Again results are excellent, with over a fifth of grades at grade A. Many students achieved at least three A grades including Abby Colquhoun, Darla Dryland, Toby Fechner, Harry Forbes, Adam Gray, Jasmine Harrod, Chloe Howe, Saskia Jackson, Maddie Kromer, Jake Owen, Matt Sharland, Eden Telemacque, Jake Whittaker, Harry Whitworth and Emily Withers,” said Mr Rogan.
“We are also proud of the impressive progress made by Lizzie France, Natasha Howard, Connie Wells, Sarah Astill-Smith, Georgina Offer and Holly Phelps who have all exceeded their targets.”
Among the students celebrating was head girl Freya Lewis, who obtained A grades in English language, government and politics, and maths and a B in German. Freya will be going to the London School of Economics to follow a degree course in government, and plans a career in journalism.
Her friend Lucy Smith achieved A* grades in geography and biology, and an A in chemistry. She’ll be studying geography at Exeter.
Budding doctor Nick Millar got three A grades in maths, chemistry and physics. He’s heading to Durham, where he’ll spend five years studying medicine. Beibhinn Reardon achieved an A in German and B grades in English literature and maths. She’ll be studying German and Russian at Exeter and would like to work in politics, maybe in Brussels.
It’s life in the fast lane for head boy Matt Jones. His A* in maths, A in physics and B in further maths has won him a place at Loughborough to study mechanical engineering. Matt, who is part of the St John’s Racing team that built an eco racing car and took part in the Schools Eco Marathon, is aiming for a career in Formula 1 or high-end car design, creating the innovations that will be commonplace in our cars in 10 or 15 years’ time.
Noah Davis achieved an A* in maths, A in physics and C in further maths. He’ll be studying physics at King’s College. Harry Austen gained an A* in maths, A* in further maths and B in physics. He’s off to Bath to study maths. And Ben Helps, who achieved a B in Spanish, C in computing and D in maths is off to Birmingham City University to take a degree in computing which, he hopes, will lead to a career in programming.
A future in crime awaits Eleanor West – her C in religious studies, C in food technology, and D in psychology has got her into Buckinghamshire University to study policing. Her friend Ellie Evill, who obtained a C in food technology, C in English language and D in history will be carrying on with her job in the Marlborough branch of Joules, while she saves to go travelling.
And while the pupils celebrated, there was also a proud moment for head of design and technology Sue Watson, who leaves the school in two weeks to start a new job at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.
She was thrilled with the results of her food technology students Ophelia Chidgey, who got an A at AS Level, and Emily Ellison, Lucy Partis and Molly Wisbey, who all got A* grades at A Level in the subject.
Ophelia – who wants to work in food – also obtained a B in economics and a C in biology, and will be returning to St John’s to get her full A Level in food technology, and an AS Level in chemistry. Emily also got a B in biology and B in English language, and will be going to Southampton to study biology. Lucy also achieved an A in biology and a B in psychology. She’ll be studying midwifery at Oxford Brookes. And Molly, who also achieved B grades in psychology and business will be studying Food and Nutrition at Oxford Brookes.
Marlborough look to bat themselves back into title challenge at Trowbridge
