DETERMINATION, attention to detail and consistently working hard has paid dividends for A-Level students at King’s Ely, with almost half of all grades achieved being A* to A this year.
Of the 94 students in King’s Ely’s Year 13 cohort, 29 pupils have achieved all A* and A grades in their subjects and 56 students have secured all A*-B grades. This year, 22% of A-Level grades are A*, 46% of results are A*-A, 75% are A*-B and 89% are A*-C.
Today’s results mean that, once again, King’s Ely students have secured places at their first-choice university or institution, not just in the UK but across the globe. As is reflective of an all-round education, pupils will be studying subjects as diverse as Earth and Planetary Science to Illustration and History to International Horseracing Business.
Jonathan Shaw, Head of King’s Ely Senior, said: “We are very proud of our Year 13 students, who have achieved some fantastic grades. This year’s cohort were under a particular amount of pressure given the circumstances of the last two years, and so today’s results will be a relief and cause for celebration. Many of our students have exceeded their own personal expectations and, after a nervous wait over the summer, will be extremely happy with the outcome. As expected, the vast majority of our students have secured the grades needed for the next step of their education. However, above all, we hope our students will leave King’s with the skills, the character, and sense of ambition to make a difference wherever they go. Congratulations to our pupils for their resilience, to our teachers for their teaching and guidance, and to our parents for their support.”
This year’s A-Level examinations were marked by external assessors for the first time since 2019, from when the percentage of A* grades achieved at King’s Ely has risen from 14% to 22% and the percentage of A*-B grades has improved from 59% to 75%.
King’s Ely’s highest achiever this year is Eleanor MacGillivray, who is off to Trinity College Cambridge to read Mathematics. Eleanor, who joined King’s Ely Junior in Year 6, achieved four A* grades in Chemistry, Further Maths, Maths and Physics.
Philip Papafilippou and Chris Yi have secured three A*s and one A grade. Sarah White, Amelia Shaw and Camilla Robson have achieved three A*s.
Annie Moore is heading to the University of St Andrews to study Arabic and French (with a year abroad). Annie, who joined King’s Ely Junior in Year 8, achieved an A* in Spanish, an A* in Politics, and an A in French. Annie said: “My ideal career after university would be to work for the UN in a job where I can continue to speak and learn different languages. My love of languages has been nurtured amazingly by the MFL Department at King’s. Our teachers are all so supportive of us and genuinely care about us as individuals, which I think really matters.”
Philip Papafilippou is heading to the University of Bristol to study Mechanical Engineering after achieving A* grades in Further Maths, Maths and Physics, and an A grade in Chemistry. Philip, who joined King’s Ely Senior in Year 10, said: “I was so nervous about opening my results, but I have done so much better than I thought I would have done. I’m extremely happy! My teachers have all been so supportive; I feel that they have genuinely believed in me since the very day I started.”
John-Oswald Crichton, who joined King’s Ely Junior in Year 6, achieved an A* in Textiles, an A* in Maths, and a B in Biology. He is going to be studying Fashion Design Innovation at the University of Leeds.
Sarah White is also off to the University of Bristol, but she will be studying English Literature. Sarah, who joined King’s Ely in Year 7, achieved A* grades in Fine Art, English Literature and History. Sarah said: “I am so excited to be pursuing a creative degree thanks to my creativity never having been restricted at King’s. Individuality is key here and I am grateful for that.”
As well as A-Levels, King’s Ely also offers vocational Level 3 qualifications in Food and Nutrition and Business Studies. 88% of marks in modules taken this summer were at least a Merit. Approximately a quarter of Year 13 students also completed the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) this year, which is equivalent to half an A-Level. 70% of students achieved an A* or A grade.
John Attwater, Principal of King’s Ely, said: “In a year of almost unprecedented demand for university places, I am delighted that our fantastic leaving students have been so successful in getting the grades they need and finding such an exciting array of courses, institutions, and career paths to move on to. That is reflective of their own creativity and hard work but also, I hope, the confidence, ambition, and imagination that their time here at King’s has brought them. We wish them the very best for what I know will be valuable and fulfilling futures.”
An open event for prospective Sixth Form students is being held at King’s Ely on Saturday 8th October 2022. To book your place or for more information, please visit: www.kingsely.org/news-events/open-days/