Bearwood College is delighted to congratulate its Upper Sixth Form students on their excellent 2013 A-Level results. We have seen a strong performance from our Sixth Formers, with the number of pupils gaining one or more of the “Starred A” Grade going up by 3%.
The average score per candidate at Bearwood College is 290 UCAS points, matching last year’s results. The top personal score based only on academic subjects was a powerful 480 UCAS points.
Commenting on this year’s results, Academic Deputy Head, Mr George Penlington, said: “All A-level courses are a huge commitment and our Sixth Form, together with their teachers, have embraced the challenge with effort and enthusiasm. In value-added terms, measured by the University of Durham’s ALIS system, our students have achieved, on average, almost a grade above their predictions. Today’s results are evidence of their hard work over the past two years and we wish all our students the best for the future as they progress onto their chosen Universities.”
One of the top-scoring Bearwood College A-Level candidates, Sam Holt, was thrilled with his results, which included a Starred A Grade and two As, allowing him to take up his place for a Physics degree at the University of Warwick. “I did check online with UCAS this morning, so I knew my place was confirmed before I came into College, but I really wanted to know my grades. I am just so pleased with them. It’s absolutely brilliant!”
Bearwood students Ciaran Cresswell (AAB) and Cameron Spence (ABC) were two of just 1,000 students nationwide to receive much coveted Unconditional Offers from the University of Birmingham. In an unprecedented move, the University, part of the elite Russell Group, offered 1,000 places to students to join 12 of its courses in the Autumn, without the requirement to achieve any A-level grades. Ciaran and Cameron who applied to study Modern Foreign Languages and Philosophy respectively were delighted to have their places confirmed today.
Bearwood’s Sixth Form this year also included two sets of twins, Fraser and Ryan George and Paul and Cameron Spence. Mrs Spence, who brought her boys into College this morning to collect their results said, “I’m so proud of them both, they’ve done very well. Now we can relax and celebrate; I’ve been nervous for days!”. Paul is going to read Law at Oxford Brookes University having achieved A*AA and Cameron takes up his unconditional offer at Birmingham with ABC.
Kathryn Langford-Holt Odenwälder, Academic Director of Sixth Form at Bearwood with responsibility for this year’s UCAS applications, commented, "I am delighted by the results achieved by our Sixth Formers at Bearwood College this year and we are extremely proud that our scholars have secured places to read a range of competitive subjects at university. These include Physics, Law, Philosophy, History, Modern Languages, Architecture and Business and Management. Almost 20% of our scholars will be attending Russell Group universities, such as Warwick, Manchester, Queen Mary, University of London and Birmingham, with the latter having awarded unconditional offers to two of our scholars due to the strength of their applications."
Mrs Langford-Holt Odenwälder attributes the success to the opportunities available at Bearwood for personal development beyond the curriculum. Sporting, musical, dramatic, social, and extra-curricular pursuits combined with excellent academic programme and superb UCAS application support give Bearwood students the edge. “We work individually with each student to help them create the strongest personal statement possible; one that brings together all the strands of their involvement in College life,” comments Mrs Langford-Holt Odenwälder. “There are so many interesting things to do here, so many ways to get involved, that our students have plenty to write on their forms and they do stand out from the crowd.”
Sixth Formers are provided with 360 degree support throughout their A-Level studies at Bearwood College. In addition to committed subject teachers, academic progress is closely monitored by the Academic Director of Sixth Form and the Academic Deputy Head. Pastoral needs are cared for by the Pastoral Director of Sixth Form, a dedicated Tutor as well as by a Houseparent. The advice of the in-house careers service is supplemented by the resources of Futurewise, the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. Small class sizes guarantee individual attention and the Sierra Club, is a purpose-built Sixth Form centre facility designed to promote independent study as well as offer a social space for relaxation. These elements contribute to the strength of Bearwood’s unique support system which can make all the difference to students managing the demands of A-Level study. Whilst ensuring academic issues are thoroughly addressed, Bearwood also helps prepare well-rounded individuals, ready for university and for life beyond.
Bearwood College stats for August 2013 A-Level Results
A*-E 99%
A*-B 39%
A*-C 70%
Number of candidates taking A2s – 39
Number of candidates taking AS – 35