Queen’s College in Taunton not only gained the top A Level results in Taunton last week, the school also has outstanding GCSE results it was announced today.
54% of all exams were graded A* and A. 24% gained all A*s, 81% were A*, A and B and 95% were graded A*-C. Four students were awarded some of the top marks in the country – A*s with Distinction in Further Maths
Richard Venn from Bishop’s Hull in Somerset not only achieved one A*, six As and three Bs he also runs his own successful business keeping pigs.
Richard (16), who started his business at the tender age of eight years old to make some pocket money, works both before and after school feeding and cleaning out his pigs which he buys from Sedgemoor Market at auction. His pigs, which are kept in top condition on the family farm, are fattened up and sold as joints, chops and sausages ready for the freezer.
Not only has running his own business given Richard invaluable work experience – he is aiming to join Harper Adams Agricultural College after his A Levels before becoming a farmer – he also has developed skills in purchasing and sales, licensing, marketing, managing finances, and market bidding.
Said Richard: “My parents don’t believe in giving us pocket money for doing nothing, we are expected to work for everything we want to spend. This has really taught me and my brother and sisters to be self sufficient and to look for opportunities in life rather than just relying on the family for handouts.
“My parents are dairy and cereal farmers and life in the dairy industry is economically very challenging plus the weather has made harvesting crops difficult this year. As well as running my pig business I also spend the holidays and weekends driving a tractor and helping out on the farm so I am used to hard work. I have been lucky to have benefitted from an excellent education and some great teachers which, coupled with on the ground work experience, has really given me a clear direction going forward.”
As well as achieving some excellent GCSE results and running his own business, Richard is also a keen sportsman and represents Queen’s College in rugby, hockey and tennis and plays hockey for Somerset and the West of England. He is also involved in drama at the school having taken part in many of the main school productions including Storm Boy and Bugsy Malone.
Commenting on the impressive results Queen’s College Headmaster Chris Alcock said:
“We are fortunate here at Queen’s that we have some inspirational staff who excite intellectual curiosity and provide a stimulating and happy environment which is ideal for learning. Coupled with small class sizes and attention for individual needs, it is not surprising that students here are able to achieve some pretty impressive results and can take advantage of the exceptional range of co-curricular activities on offer.”