In which year group did you join King’s Ely?
I joined King’s Ely Acremont in Year 1.
What GCSE grades did you achieve this summer (2019)?
I achieved three grade 9s, five grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Were you pleased with your results?
I was very pleased with my results. I did not expect to achieve grade 8s in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Religious Studies! I was also very happy to achieve grade 9s in Spanish, French and English Language. I worked really hard so I’m pleased that it all paid off.
Were you well supported by your teachers in the lead up to your exams?
I was well supported by all of my teachers and although I very rarely used any of the available support sessions, I know that if I had wanted extra help my teachers would have done so. I did have some extra help in Maths towards the exams and I think that it really helped me to achieve the grade 8 that I did.
Why have you chosen to stay at King’s Ely for Sixth Form, and what are you most looking forward to?
I have chosen to stay at King’s Ely Sixth Form because I really enjoy my lessons and I have very good friendships here. I am a member of Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir; I really enjoy all of the commitments and I know I would miss all the other girls if I went anywhere else! In the Choir we are all really close and because we are under such a tight schedule, we really learn how to manage our time successfully. I know that time management will be required for my A Levels and I feel that by remaining in the Choir I will continue to be organised with my work.
What A Level subjects are you going to be studying and, if you know this yet, what sort of career are you hoping to pursue?
I am studying Spanish, French, English Literature and Psychology. In the future, I want to pursue a career in foreign languages, possibly as a translator or an interpreter.
What extra-curricular and enrichment activities are you/have you been involved with at King’s Ely, and how do you feel this enhances your experience of school?
I have been involved in many extra-curricular activities here at King’s Ely. I have been a Girl Chorister at Ely Cathedral since the start of Year 9. I really enjoy everything about the Girls’ Choir; the music, the boarding and the other girls. We really feel like a family in Etheldreda House and I’m so glad that I am there. I have also achieved grade 5 singing and piano with Merit and I am working towards higher grades in both. This year, I have been the Etheldreda House Debating Captain and have taken part in many debates – we even took part in the Senior Debating Final this year! I also won the Eastern Region Spanish Debating Competition with Katie Wood, which was a really fun experience and quite different to many debates I have taken part in before. Furthering my interest in debating, I was lucky enough to debate in the House of Commons in Year 10 with Emma Garrett, and this was an amazing experience that really improved my debating technique and inspired me to keep debating in school.
In what ways do you think King’s Ely is different to other schools?
For me, the biggest thing that sets King’s Ely apart from other schools is the number of opportunities presented to all pupils. If you want to get involved with something, there’s almost certainly a way to do so. I also think that the House system is really beneficial and helps to make really close bonds with your peers. Everyone is very close here, which makes you feel part of a very special community. I also love studying in a place like Ely because it is calm and not nearly as noisy and busy as in bigger cities, which I think provides a really good environment for learning.