Congratulations to Queen Anne’s GCSE pupils

Liz Nicholls

GCSE

Queen Anne’s School are delighted to be celebrating an excellent set of GCSE Results with 64% of grades at the coveted top grades 9-7 (A*-A).

Four students achieved an impressive total of seven grade 9s, along with eight students receiving a full set of 9-7 (A*-A) grades. Keira Barton, from Warfield, achieved an exceptional seven grade 9s and three grade 8s, giving her a superb springboard to her chosen A Levels in Psychology, Geography and History. Joanna Ayeni, a full boarder from Essex, received seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7. Joanna will be studying Computer Science, Physics and Maths at A Level. Issy Kelly, from Reading, is celebrating a fantastic set of results with seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7. Issy is a member of Queen Anne’s School Twilight Dance Company who participated in several dance competitions in her time at the school and recently returned from the Queen Anne’s Lacrosse Tour to the USA.

The English Department saw outstanding results with a superb 44% of English Language students and 43% of English Literature students achieving grade 9.

I am so proud of the students who have shown such commitment to English throughout their five years with us

“This year’s English Literature and English Language results are outstanding! I am so proud of the students who have shown such commitment to English throughout their five years with us. Their success today, despite the disruptions of the pandemic, is truly remarkable. I cannot thank our exceptional English teachers enough.” said Anna Spellman, Head of English.

Queen Anne’s students continue to deliver strong outcomes in STEM subjects with Maths results counting a total of ten students at grade 9 and sixteen at grade 8. Biology excelled with thirteen students achieving grade 9 and eleven achieving grade 8. The creative arts also saw a set of excellent grades with 79% of students studying Drama securing grade 9-8. Among them is Ella Barker, from Surrey, achieving grade 9 along with other grade 9s in Biology, Physics, English Literature and English Language.

Queen Anne’s School is known for its excellent music provision, with approximately two thirds of girls learning an instrument. The state-of-the-art Scott Music Centre with a professional recording studio, an ensemble space and two recital halls opened in 2019. Twins Jaey and Juny Suh’s GCSE results are one of their many incredible achievements since studying at the school, as both international boarders from South Korea were also awarded their post-grade 8 diploma (ARSM). Juny achieving her ARSM in violin and Jaey in flute; Jaey then went on to achieve her ATCL diploma, an achievement usually reached in the first year of an undergraduate degree. Jaey also accomplished a superb 98% in her Maths GCSE and Juny achieved 97%. They will be pursuing their talents in music and have received the Queen Anne’s Society Sixth Form scholarship. Lara Lancaster, from Wargrave, also received the Queen Anne’s Society Sixth Form Scholarship after achieving eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.

Linda McGrenary, Director of Middle School, said: “The students approached these exams with resilience and kept focused on the end goal. I am so proud of how hard they worked, and they are now in a great position as they move into Sixth Form”.

The students approached these exams with resilience and kept focused on the end goal

Many girls will be studying some of the six new A Level subjects at the school, now taking the total number of A Level choices to 29 plus the EPQ. Emily Day, from High Wycombe, who achieved a 9 in Biology, an 8 in Physics and a 7 in Chemistry, will be developing her scientific knowledge by studying Environmental Science at A Level. Lucy Triptree, from Lower Shiplake, achieved 100% 9-7 (A*-A) and will be one of the first to study A Level Media at Queen Anne’s.

“I am very proud of this year’s GCSE cohort, who have overcome challenging times to achieve an exceptional set of results that will propel them into their next step in education. They have shown dedication, determination and enthusiasm throughout their GCSEs and I look forward to seeing them flourish in their A Levels and beyond.” said Head of School, Elaine Purves.

Smiles all round

Round & About

GCSE

Heathfield School in Ascot proves its ‘Excellent’ rating by Independent Schools Inspectorate this year, when every student exceeded their GCSE prediction

When the GCSE results came in last week, it was smiles all round at Heathfield School in Ascot, for all girls had exceeded their predicted aspirational targets, with 100% of its students achieving A*-C / 9-6 grades in Maths and English Language, and 100% A*-C grades in Business, Classical Civilisation, French, History and Spanish. Every student taking History secured A-A*s and all those taking Latin a 9-7 grading. Half of students taking Chemistry secured a 9-7 and a quarter of students taking French also secured A*s / 9-8s.

The girls’ fortes in the arts also shone through – every student taking Music secured 9-8, four in five students taking Art 9-7 and half of all girls taking Drama 9-7.

Hermione Hunt-Davis triumphed with two A*s in French and History, five 9s in English Language, English Literature, Maths, Latin and Religious Studies, three 8s in Chemistry, Biology and Spanish and one 7 in Physics.

Sophia Adderley, next year’s Head Girl, also excelled with four 9s in Maths, English Literature, Geography and Art, two 8s in English Language and French and two 7s in Chemistry and Religious Studies.

Tansy Adam – who has starred in many school productions and won her heat in the vocal class in the RIBI Young Musician of the Year Competition – achieved 9 in Drama, English Language and Religious Studies.

Talented and promising art student Harriet Hooper gained a 9 in Art, while Lacrosse player Aisha Edwards, who was selected to represent the U17 South East London North Team in the Regional Academy Tournament in April earlier this year, achieved 7 in both PE and Maths.

Commenting on the results Headmistress Marina Gardiner Legge, said, “I’m absolutely thrilled with this year’s GCSE results and would like to congratulate each and every girl on their terrific achievements. The results are a glowing testimony to the breadth and diversity of education we provide here at Heathfield – valuing in equal measure academic achievements and success in sport, music, drama and the arts. It is our job to enable every girl to be the very best she can be, in a happy and supportive environment. Developing character traits like persistence, confidence and the desire to achieve are top of our agenda, and as we all know, happy, confident girls to succeed.”

To meet growing demand for places, the school has submitted plans to develop a superb new £1.5m Sixth Form Study Centre which will sit next to the school’s existing Sixth Form boarding house. This state of the art building will feature a large and tranquil study area overlooking greenery and woodland, classrooms and break out hubs as well as a spacious social, café and event area with bi-fold doors into an outdoor space, designed to bring nature inside. It will also feature a fully furnished library set in a landscaped environment with a sensory garden.

Heathfield school welcomes prospective students and their parents to its Sixth Form open evening on Wednesday, 26th September – please email [email protected] or call 01344 898342.