THE Class of 2022 at The Grange School have been praised for their resilience and dedication as they celebrated some fantastic A-level results.
With more than 70 per cent of entries at A* or A grade - the school’s A Level students surpassed past performances with 39 per cent of entries at A* - almost three times the national average.
Four of these A* grades belong to Madeleine Pratt who is heading to Imperial College, London to read Aeronautical Engineering.
"This has always been my ambition," she said.
"After I did some work experience with Airbus in Year 10 I knew which A Levels I wanted to do, even before taking GCSEs.
"I’m still not quite sure what the end goal will be, but I’m looking forward to university."
For many of the sixth formers, the day marked the end of a long journey and association with the Hartford-based independent school.
Head boy Ed Dobbs and his deputy Ben Sawn were in celebratory mood as they both got the results they needed to go and study at their chosen universities.
Ed achieved three A’s – in biology, chemistry and Music – and will now study bio-medical sciences at Birmingham University.
He said: “I just think it’s a really interesting field – particularly in light of Covid and the vaccine programme.
“There is a lot of opportunity to help people a lot further afield.”
Ben, who is off to study veterinary science at Nottingham got an A* in 3D design and two A’s in biology and chemistry.
“It’s a five-year course but I’m really excited to get going now,” he said.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve always fancied being a vet and I’m so relieved I’ve finally made it to this stage where I can go on to do that.
“I’ve got two doctors for parents so it’s obviously in the medical field, but I’ll be the first vet in my family.
“Not doing our GCSEs was a really strange experience, but the school prepared us very well for our A-levels.
“It’s been nerve wracking leading up to results day so it’s a great relief to get to this point now.”
Jess Eddy got three A*'s – in geography, history and politics – but has actually decided to take a year out and will spend the next year working at a school in Cambridge.
“I want to do geography next year but I just wasn’t sure where,” she said.
“So I thought I’d take a year out and go and do something else I wanted to do.
“My focus ultimately is on working within urban development and sustainability.”
Heidi Hill, who got three A’s – in chemistry, biology and maths - only joined the school for sixth form having spent her formative years at Hartford High.
“I got lower grades than I thought I would for my GCSEs,” she said.
“When I came here, they actually had faith and hope that I could get the grades I needed.
“It was very welcoming, and the teachers really wanted you here and wanted to help you.”
Heidi will join schoolmate Ben in doing veterinary science at Nottingham University.
“I’ve always wanted to be a vet,” she said.
“I’ve been doing work experience for the past four years.
“I’ve always wanted to be surrounded by animals and to help them.”
Another one of the students keen to develop a natural caring side is Izzy White, who got three A*'s in maths, chemistry and biology.
“I’m off to Bristol to do medicine,” she said.
“I don’t have any family members who are doctors, it’s just something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.
“I work in a care home, and I absolutely love it there.
“I’ve been going every week, even during my A-levels.
“It’s really helped shine a light on things I wouldn’t have thought I’d enjoy.
“I’ve got a really close bond with some of the residents now who look forward to seeing me.
“If I’m not there for a week they’ll be asking where I am so it’s a wonderful experience.”
Dr Lorraine Earps, head of the school said: “It’s so lovely to see our young people get the results they deserve after a really difficult couple of years through the Covid period.
“They’ve continued to work hard and been well-supported by some fantastic teaching and really dedicated staff.
“Today is a day we’re able to celebrate some really special results with some really great students who will be able to go on and do absolutely anything they want to do in the world.
“We are incredibly proud of them and the way they have approached the whole of their learning experience throughout these last couple of years.
“We’re also so proud of their resilience and their attitude to learning.
“The fact they’ve just continued to just get on with it even though the world has been tricky for them.
“Congratulations to all of them – they’re all superstars.”
Some of the other stand-out results from the Class of 2022 include Katie Wakefield got three A*’s in maths, biology and chemistry and will now head to Cambridge study medicine. Grace Atkinson will go to Nottingham after three A’s in maths, physics and biology.
Head of Upper Sixth Form, Kat Huntriss, also praised the students, saying: "I am incredibly proud of the Class of 2022.
"Not only have they achieved superb examination results this year, despite the challenges of the last two years and never having sat external examinations, but they leave us as well-rounded young adults who I know will have great success in the years to come with whatever they set their mind to.
"They will be sorely missed by all of us here at The Grange."
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