In another excellent year for local A level results, both Writhlington Sixth Form and Midsomer Norton Sixth saw improvements on their record-breaking results from last year. A high level of students from both Sixth Forms have now been accepted at prestigious universities, including Imperial College London and Oxford. New school, The Bath Studio School, also received its first ever set of results last week. Good luck to all of the local students collecting their GCSE results today! (Thursday, 25th August).

Writhlington Sixth Form

Writhlington Sixth Form students are celebrating another excellent set of A Level results this year; 33 different subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, with 64% of these grades at A* to B.

Many of the students had some truly outstanding results; Barnaby Wheeler attained A*A*A, and Araminta Hampden Martin, Alec Newland-Pow and Callum Rush all achieving A*AA, will be off to top universities to read Natural Sciences, Medical Engineering, Zoology and Mechanical Engineering respectively. Also achieving excellent results, with AAA are James Turner, Fiona Walker and Laura Wiltshire, as well as Jack Burton, George Brinkworth, Matthew Howells, David Millard, Sophie Moore, Tom Parfitt, Sarah Workman and Robyn Veater – all attaining three Distinctions in their subjects.

Students have successfully obtained places at prestigious universities, including Royal Holloway, University College London, Leeds, Exeter, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Southampton, Bristol, Bath, Nottingham and Sheffield and will be studying subjects ranging from Biomedical Science, Engineering, Midwifery, Oceanography and Psychology amongst many others.

The school has also congratulated a number of successful students, including Oliver Beechener, Jasmine Garcia-Perez, Molly Grainger-Hull, Logan Read, Megan Tudor, Matthew Turner and Rosie Wadsworth, who, as well as achieving a brilliant set of results, have contributed much to the wider life of the school in terms of extracurricular participation and leadership.

Steve Cantrell and Karis Higgins, who make up the Sixth Form leadership team, said: “All of the staff are so proud of the Year 13 students and their achievements this year. They have been an excellent year group who have supported each other and have worked really hard – their success is very well deserved.”

Executive Headteacher, Mark Everett, added: “It is no surprise that our results keep going from strength to strength, given the hard work and commitment of the students and staff. I’m really pleased for the students as they put so much into their studies and to see them reap the rewards makes me, and everybody involved with the school, really proud. They are a credit to themselves, their parents and the school.”

Student, Tom Forsey, who achieved AAB said: “It has been an amazing time, the support and opportunities at Writhlington are incredible; the teachers are passionate and will do anything to help you achieve your best – you just need to believe in yourself.”

Midsomer Norton Sixth Form

Midsomer Norton Sixth Form students were celebrating another set of excellent results, achieving an average of a B grade per entry.

The school was filled with excited students last Thursday as they revelled in the aftermath of months of dedication and extremely hard work, which will allow them to embark on high quality apprenticeships, new careers and places at reputable universities across the country. 86% of students achieved A*–C, 63% achieved A*–B and 38% of students achieved either an A* or A grade, with a 100% pass rate across the year. All these measures are above national averages.

Students continued to be ambitious this year with their future plans. Yet again, 30% of students will be going to a Russell Group University compared with the 9% average for the South West. This achievement has been assisted by the Sixth Form’s specialist Russell Group University Preparation Programme.

Among the wealth of this year’s outstanding results, there are a few particularly notable accomplishments: Rebecca Thompson, who achieved three A* grades and one A grade, will be studying Medicine at Imperial College London in September, Sam Clark, who achieved three A grades and one A* grade and has secured a place at Oxford University, along with James Wheadon, who was awarded three A grades and one A*.

Assistant Headteacher – Post-16, Karen Ward, said: “We wish our students all the best for the bright futures they have ahead of them, as they begin the next chapter in their lives. With the growing job market, exciting apprenticeships and innovative universities, we are confident that our students’ diligence and dedication will ensure their success in whichever path they choose to take. The students’ ambitious destinations reflect the success of the Russell Group and the Direct in to Work programmes Midsomer Norton offer, which provide highly

individualised support.”

Headteacher, Alun Williams, said: “I am delighted by the achievements of Year 13s this year. They have done exceptionally well and better than Year 13 in 2015. More students than ever are going on to University and the number of top grades achieved has again risen. Year 13 have achieved a 100% pass rate with 99% of them gaining a place at their chosen university. I have also been very impressed by the Year 12 results, which have increased by 10% on all key measures since 2015.

“Finally, I would like to wish all our Year 13s the very best of luck for what will no doubt be an exciting future.”

The Bath Studio School

The first ever Year 13 students at The Bath Studio School are celebrating exceptional success, having received outstanding A level and BTEC Level 3 Technical qualifications. Colin Cattanach, Principal, welcomed the results. He said: “The Bath Studio School was recognised earlier this year as an award-winning school, attaining the prestigious Bath Life Award for innovation in Secondary Education.

“Today’s Year 13 results validate that accolade. All of our Year 13 students are genuine winners. The standards of teaching at the school are excellent and the students over the last two years have responded with enormous commitment and relentless pursuit of high academic and technical standards. As a young and vibrant new Academy, we are establishing the highest standards of success and promoting high levels of aspirations. Our unique approach to education in the city, grounded in academic excellence, but also uniquely tailored to prepare young people for the world of work and University, has clearly delivered our mission to transform life chances and enabled all of our students to experience success. We are profoundly proud of their achievements.”

The A level and Academic results point score was 688.49, with average point score per entry of 214.74 representing an average A level C grade.

The BTEC Technical qualification results point score was 653.8, with average point score per entry of 205.59 representing an average Tech grade of Merit.

There was a 100% pass rate for all qualifications A* – E. Nearly 40% are progressing to university, with the remaining 60% moving on to apprenticeships or gaining employment with local employers.

By subject, there was great success in the specialist areas linked to the creative industries in the city. All of the students study a blend of A levels and government approved rigorous technical subjects which are highly favoured by universities and employers.

In Art and Design A level (Digital Photography), 45.5% of the students gained top grades A*–B, 83.3% gained A*–C and 100% gained A*–E. Two of the students were awarded A* grades and were in the top twenty of best students nationally for this A level. In the Polish Language A level, 100% of students gained a pass A*–C. The school has several students whose first language is not English and they have excelled in their A levels and BTECS, overcoming considerable language barriers in some instances, with a 100% pass rate in English Literature.

The Extended Project Qualification favoured by many universities as testing students’ independent learning skills has been an outstanding success for students. 50% achieved the top A–B grade in this discipline, 82% achieved A–C and 100% A–E.

In the technical subjects, 72.3% of the TV and Film Studies BTEC Diploma students gained top grades with double distinctions and merits. 100% gained either a double distinction, merit or pass.

60% of students gained the top grades in the Journalism BTEC Diploma, with double distinctions and merits. 100% gained either a double distinction, merit or pass. 87.5% of Information Technology BTEC Diploma students gained the top grades with double distinctions and merits. 100% gained either a double distinction, merit or pass. 100% of the Business BTEC Diploma students gained the top grades with double distinctions and merits.

Colin Cattanach, Principal, added: “The school is gaining an excellent reputation in the city as a school that is outward facing and working really well in partnership with local employers. The education experience offered is quite unique.

“We are delighted with our first A level and Technical results, which demonstrate that with excellent teaching, hard work and perseverance, great things can be achieved by individuals.

We have certainly achieved in our first Year 13 results, our mission to transform life chances through high quality education. We still have places available for September start for Years 10 and 12.”

Andrea Arlidge, CEO of Wellsway Multi-Academy Trust who runs The Bath Studio School said: “I am delighted with these results. I am very proud of the staff and students at the Bath Studio School for what they have achieved.”