Year 11 pupils at St Leonards-Mayfield School are today celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results. Two thirds of all results are the top A* and A grades and 97% are graded A* to C.
In fourteen subjects over 75% of all results reached the coveted A* & A grades, including Chemistry and Biology; German, Chinese, Ancient Greek, Italian, and Latin; Music, Art & Design and Ceramics; and Religious Studies and Physical Education. The School is proud to have such strength in depth across the full range of sciences, social sciences and arts.
With well over 50% of the 60 candidates achieving 7 or more A*/A grades – and 16 girls securing 10 or more – it is difficult to highlight particular individuals. Marianna Balzarelli and Ella Strudley are representative of the hard work and impressive grades achieved by this year’s pupils.
Marianna Balzarelli (Wadhurst) achieved an outstanding 11A*s and 1A and will now enter the Sixth Form to study Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Latin, with a view to taking a degree in Medicine. Marianna is a talented linguist who is evidently undaunted by challenges, for she has spent the summer doing work experience at a hospital… in Paris! Marianna plans to combine next year’s A-Levels with her other great love, textiles; the Department has just moved into a newly-refurbished premises at the heart of School.
Ella Strudley (Stone Cross) scooped 10 A*s and anticipates studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Music at A-Level. Her results are all the more remarkable when you consider that in the last twelve months alone, she has been awarded Grade 8 Distinction in the harp, violin and piano.
Headmistress, Miss Antonia Beary commended all the pupils on their results: “I’m delighted with how well the girls have performed yet again; over the last two years they have shown great commitment and, as a result, have created an excellent foundation for their A-Level studies. Credit must also go to the staff for all the support they have given the girls. For such a wide range of departments to secure so many top grades is testament to their expertise and commitment.”