Sexey’s Sixth students celebrate superb progress and record numbers of leavers to Russell Group universities despite year of uncertainty for A Level examinations nationally

In another year of no exams and results awarded by teachers due to COVID-19, Sexey’s Sixth Form students are celebrating another year of outstanding A Level results with students celebrating their individual progress.

While Year 13 students have not sat physical examinations for the second year in a row, this cohort was welcomed into school today to collect results that were determined by Teacher Assessed Grades.

Commenting, Mrs Helen Cullen, Headteacher at Sexey’s School said, “I am immensely proud of our School community and how it has managed the COVID-19 pandemic. The Year 13 students have spent a significant amount of their time both in Year 12 and 13 in lockdown, with schools closed and ending their school careers virtually and online. They have shown resilience, determination, and true independence in their approach to learning, whilst engaging fully with their teachers’ expertise, inspiration, and guidance. I know the students appreciate the support they have received from all their teachers, but in particular the pastoral guidance of their Tutors and Mrs Elliot (Head of Year 12 and 13), led by Mr Moise (Director of Sixth Form). The Year 13 students have worked hard and deserve their super results.”

Yet again Sexey’s Sixth has exceeded the national average for number of students going to top universities, with 63% progressing from Sexey’s Sixth Form to Russell Group universities, and 73% gaining places in their first choice university. 100% of those students who opted to follow an Apprenticeship route, achieved it.

Mr John Moise, Director of Sixth Form, is particularly delighted that 100% of those students who studied the EPQ gained a C or higher and said: “The effort and commitment from this group of students has been second to none.  They have continued to challenge themselves and have developed original and interesting EPQ topics that stood them in good stead for achieving top results. The EPQ has once again proven to be an amazing qualification to help support A Levels, enabling some students to meet their offers and progress onto University.”

All of our students have worked hard and gained some tremendous results, with Sexey’s Sixth’s top preforming students as follows:

• Jasmine Allen (Sexey’s School Years 7-13), gained 3 A*’s in Maths, Chemistry and Physics and is progressing to Brasenose College, University of Oxford to study Chemistry
• Declan Shaw (Sexey’s School Years 7-13), gained 3 A*’s in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, exceeding his offers and is now looking to take a gap year, reapply and study Physics next year
• Belinda Luscombe (previously Preston School), gained 3 A*’s in Biology, Chemistry and Geography and A* in EPQ and is progressing to Queen Mary University of London to study Medicine
• Lizzy Ingram (previously Ansford Academy), gained Distinction* Distinction* in Sport and Exercise Science and A* in Art and is progressing to Bath University to study Sport Management

Exceptional teaching and learning at Sexey’s School results in students outperforming their targets and exceeding national rates of progress. The following students are celebrating outstanding progress from their GCSE results to their A Level results:

• Declan Shaw (Sexey’s School Years 7-13) gained 3 A*’s in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, exceeding his offers and is now looking to take a gap year, reapply and study Physics next year
• Tiffany Chung (previously Shung Tak Catholic English College – Hong Kong) gained A in Maths and Physics and B in Chemistry and is progressing to University of Bristol to study Pharmacology
• Lila Grapes (previously OGEC, Senelon, France) gained A in French and Biology and B in Chemistry and is planning to progress to Newcastle University to study Pharmacy after taking a gap year
• Raffy Piper (Sexey’s School Years 7-13) gained A in Religious Studies, B in Geography and Biology and is progressing to University of Birmingham to study Philosophy, Religion and Ethics.

Mrs Cullen added, “Sexey’s School prides itself in the strong academic outcomes of its students, alongside the character, confidence and self awareness they develop during their time with us. Each student has benefited from the high quality care, advice and guidance their staff have given them, motivating them to do well despite the challenges and the adversity they have all experienced this year.

“I would like to thank the staff at Sexey’s School who have been amazing, showing resilience and determination as they empowered the Year 13 students to display their knowledge and skills, which in turn enabled staff to award them their appropriate teacher assessed grades. This piece of work has been significant, and I can’t thank the staff enough for the professionalism and commitment they have shown through this process.

“We wish our Year 13 leavers every success and happiness as they move forwards on the next stage of their journey of life long learning. Well done Year 13 – you are a very special, talented and wonderful group of young people which our school community will miss.”