Today is one of those truly special days in the Wycliffe calendar – a day when our campus is filled with smiles and a palpable sense of pride. Our Year 13 pupils have received their A-Level, BTEC, and CTEC results, and what a remarkable set of achievements they are.
Almost a third of all grades were at A* or A – higher than the national average – and more than half of our students secured A*-B grades in their A-Levels. Impressively, 27.5% achieved UCAS points equivalent to AAA or better. This is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about the resilience, tenacity, and intellectual curiosity of this cohort.
They have embraced challenge after challenge – from navigating the disruptions of their earlier education to balancing rigorous academic commitments alongside high-level sport, music, leadership, and service activities. This balance, I believe, is one of the great strengths of a Wycliffe education. Our definition of success extends far beyond grades – we seek to develop young people with broad horizons, a deep sense of community, and the confidence to step into the world with purpose.
These results have opened exciting pathways to some of the UK’s most prestigious universities – Oxford, Edinburgh, Exeter, Birmingham, Durham, and Henley Business School among them – as well as to institutions overseas in Australia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Italy, and the USA. Whether pursuing biochemistry at Oxford, creative writing at Birmingham, or a double honours in Maths and Music at Edinburgh, our pupils are heading towards bright futures.
The stories behind the results are as inspiring as the grades themselves. Abi Opaleye achieved A* in Biology, Chemistry, and History alongside an A in Maths, all while performing at county-level netball and achieving a Grade 8 distinction in music. Eva C’s two As and an A will take her to Exeter to study Natural Science, while Julian Scerri combined one A and three As with international squash competition. And then there are those whose journeys are marked not only by academic excellence but by leadership, artistry, and service – from elite rowing medals to musical distinctions, from community contributions to sporting triumphs.
I am also mindful of the collective achievement: an overall pass rate of 98%, which is excellent. Mathematics saw 57% of pupils achieve top grades, as did more than half of our Music and Design & Technology students. These are whole-department successes, and I am grateful to my colleagues for the expertise, encouragement, and care they have shown every step of the way.
As I reflect on the day, one thought keeps returning: these pupils leave Wycliffe not just with qualifications, but with the skills, experiences, and resilience to thrive in whatever comes next. Whether their path lies in academia, professional sport, the arts, or other endeavours, I am excited to follow their journeys as they become part of our alumni community.
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