The College’s largest ever cohort of Year 13 leavers received their Sixth Form results this morning. The 112 pupils collected grades for the 23 subjects studied by this year group, including A Levels, BTECs and, for the first time, Tech Level qualifications. In the second year following government reforms, the percentage of A*-B grades or equivalent has risen from 61% to 64%, and A*-C from 83% to 86%.
Headmaster, Gregg Davies comments:
“It is always rewarding to see an improvement in the headline statistics and this year is no exception; 64% of grades at A* to B or equivalent, and 86% A* to C, is a very strong performance. These results do not include the Lower Sixth Further Mathematicians, who all achieved A or A* in their A Level Mathematics in Year 12.
There is no doubt that the partnership between our pupils and staff is strong, with a mutual desire to perform as best as they can. These pupils have worked hard and shown great dedication, benefiting from the guidance and support of our fabulous staff. The value-added scores were positive for the majority of departments, with Photography, Computing, Psychology and Design Technology all seeing particularly impressive results compared to the predicted grades given by the national baseline assessments at the start of Year 12. Business Studies and Sport BTECs received a seriously impressive haul of Distinction*s; what I particularly like about the nature of BTEC assessments is that they require the same organisation and presentation skills as at university and in the workplace. I admit, however, that I am disappointed not to have maintained our 100% pass rate overall from the last three years, with two results missing out from over 300.
At the time of writing, 94% of pupils will be heading to the university of their choice. Not all are university bound though and I am delighted to see that leavers will be starting degree- and management-apprenticeships with HOVIS and BA, or embarking on Deck Cadet and Commercial Pilot training courses. Our careers and higher education programme, overseen by Mrs Rapple Moore, continues to prove invaluable in ensuring the pupils are provided with all the information and skills they need to choose the pathway that is most right for them. Shiplake pupils will soon be beginning degrees in a wide range of fields including PPE and law, finance and business, medicine and the sciences, sports and the arts, humanities, real estate and hospitality. Exeter and Oxford Brookes continue to be the most popular university destinations, with Leeds, Birmingham, Durham, Loughborough, Edinburgh and Cardiff also favoured. One of the things I am most proud of is that in recent years we have seen a rise in the aspirations of our pupils, aiming for and being successful in achieving ambitious top-end grades.
As I enter the final two weeks as Headmaster, I can hand on heart say that I am proud of the achievements of this year group and indeed all leavers from the last 15 years. A huge congratulations to the Class of 2019 and I wish you every success in the future.”
