There was once again a buzz of excitement at School today as Fifth Form pupils learned their GCSE examination results.
Merchiston's GCSE pass rate A*-C this year was 94%. Moreover, of the 703 individual candidate results, 419 (60%) gained grades A*/A; the School's combined A*, A, and B grade pass rate was a highly gratifying 86%. We are delighted that 8 boys achieved 11 A*/A grades, 9 boys were awarded 10 A*/A and one boy achieved a remarkable 13 A*/A grades.
Many boys in the Shell year group also took GCSE exam units; these results will contribute towards their GCSE grades next summer.
A Level Exam Success
As we reflect, for the sixth year running, on achieving a 100% pass rate and the individual successes of this year's exam results, we are delighted that 19% of A level grades were A*s and that over half of all grades (51%) grades were A* and A grades. An impressive 80% of grades were A*, A and B grades.
Pupils, William and Ben, achieved an impressive clean sweep of A* grades across four subjects; Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics. A further 26% (22 pupils) achieved a sweep of A* and A grades at A level. There was particularly notable success in the Mathematics and Further Mathematics Departments where 44% and 55% of pupils achieved A*s respectively.
Andrew Hunter, Headmaster said: "Yet again, what is extraordinary about Merchiston is that a huge number of boys have performed at a high level with regard to achieving A* and A grades. At the same time, other boys have exceeded their expectations by achieving Bs and Cs. As proven by ALIS testing undertaken by the University of Durham, this is unequivocally due to the relationship between the boys and their mentors."
University Destinations 2013
This picture is completed with the remarkable level of success with university placements. Ultimately, irrespective of A*/A /B percentage pass rates, the final destination of pupils is very important as it is one of the key outcomes of their school career. 69% of pupils have achieved places at the prestigious Russell Group universities, which is Merchiston's highest ever percentage in this area.
This year, five pupils gained places at Oxford and Cambridge, with the rest winning places at destinations including the University of Exeter, Imperial College, King's College London, the University of Durham and the University of Bristol.
A smaller proportion of pupils (31%) have been accepted by other outstanding universities including the University of Aberdeen, Brighton University and the University of the Arts London.
These outstanding results are recognition of the combination of excellent pastoral care and our core belief in the education of boys.