Hard work rewarded by exam success
SIXTH-form students at Swade- lands School in Lenham achieved the best results in the school’s history, with 61% of students achieving at least one A grade and over half gaining two A grades. Arran McGlynn, who achieved five A-levels, is going to Canterbury to study com- puter science, while Lydia Hilden’s three A-levels helped her gain a place studying crim- inology. The school’s rich sports heritage was reflected in other entrants such as Giorgio Russo, who will be studying strength and conditioning at St Mary’s. Head Richard Baddeley said:
“The results this year are the strongest we have had.” Valley Park School had an
85% pass rate, with more than half of its 100 A-level pupils earning an A or A*, which was up 5% on last year. Nine stu- dents gained A and A*s in three subjects or more. Following an outstandingOf-
sted mark this year, 72%of stu- dents at Invicta Grammar School for Girls achieved A*- B grades. Pupils also raised £32,000 for charity while they were studying. Notable achievements in- cluded Megan Carter (four A*s), Katie Billinge (three A*s, one A), Emma Carter (three A*s, one A), Eleanor Bryant (three A*s, one B), Joe Rosslyn (three A*s), Laura Fermor (three A*s, one A, one B), Lau- ren Carter (two A*s, two As), Bethan Dowden (two A*s, two As), Charlotte Prescott (two A*s, two As) and Kitty Sillars (two A*s, two As). All 32 pupils at St Augus-
tine’s Academy achieved exam passes that allowed them to go
to their chosen destinations, whether university, college, professional training, appren- ticeships or employment. “100% of students gained
two or more Level 3 qualifica- tions with a significant in- crease in the average point scores per entry this year,” said a spokesman. MidKent College reported its
“best ever A-level results”with an overall pass rate of 93% by the 135 students at its Maid- stone campus. Students at Cornwallis Academy and NLL Academy, where sixth form facilities are shared, earned the academies their best results yet, with a third gaining the top A* and A grades. The overall pass rate was 98%, with 72% achieving A*-C. Principal David Simons said: “Over three-quarters will now be going on to university.” St Simon Stock Catholic School put in another record set of results, with 80% of stu- dents achieving three A levels. More than 40% of entries achieved the top grades and three-quarters of all entries were grade C or higher. Top achiever was Andrew Prendergast (three A*s and one A). Head girl Margaret Ryan also achieved four As and head boy Jacob Senior one A* and two As. Other high achievers included Jack McCabe (two A*s and two As) and Alexan- dra Jueno (two A*s). Head BrendanWall said: “Al-
most half our entries were grade B or higher and three- quarters of entries were grade C or higher.” Oakwood Park Grammar School celebrated another year of excellent A-level and Pre-U results. Overall, 62% of all
Three times better!
THE taste of successwas three times as sweet for triplets Emma, Lauren and Megan Carter (pictured), who at- tended InvictaGrammarSchool. They achievedatotal of nineA*sandthree As.Emmaand Lauren are off to Cam- bridge andMegan to Oxford.
Theywere not the only triplets cele- brating. Jack McCabe, of St Simon Stock CatholicSchool gained a place at Oxford University to read English after getting two A*s and two A grades. Togetherwithhis sisters, Orla and Eliza, the triplets achieved three A*s and five A grades between them.
Conifer must stay JOANNE Hogg has been told she cannot fell a protected conifer tree at 3 Little Orchard, Bearsted. She said the tree created excessive shad-
ing in the garden and made her daughter’s bedroom dark. ButMaidstone Council said the tree was a healthy specimen that made a valuable con- tribution to the local landscape.
16 East
MOD homes proposal A PLANNING application has been submit- ted to replace former Ministry of Defence structures with five four-bedroom detached homes in Coldblow Lane, Thurnham. The scheme would see the removal of an
exMODtransmission station and two radio masts, used duringWorldWar II. Maidstone Council will determine the ap- plication.
Jack Knoll, Alice Cachia, Lily Nyangon and Helen Oakes with their results at Maidstone Grammar School
grades awarded were at A*, A or B and 40% of these grades were at A* and A – a record for the school. Exceptional performers in- cluded Rory Weal (three A*s and oneA)who goes on to read history at Queens’ College, Cambridge, and Alexander Midgely (one A* and two As) who is going to read French and Spanish at St Edmond’s College, Oxford. A largest-ever group of Year
13 pupils at Sutton Valence School (30%) gained more than two A* and A grades. Best-ever results were achieved by the grammar-equivalent set (top 29% of the year), who gained 99% A*-B grades. With nine pupils achieving three or more A* and A grades,
over 35% of the year group will be taking up places at Russell Group universities, including Cambridge. Head Bruce Grindlay said: “I
am delighted that we have maintained the school’s 10- year upward trend in A*-B grades. This is our biggest A- level cohort so far and I’m very pleased that they have all been committed to the necessary, hard, academic work that brings such good results. I con- gratulate both pupils and staff.” Top achievers, gaining three
or more A* and As, included Alex Allsebrook, Maidstone; Peter Bannister, Sutton Va- lence; Ed Collins, East Malling; Ashley Deveson, Sutton Va- lence; Anton Evans, Otterden; Sophie McGannon, Marden Thorn, and Katherine Smith, Bicknor. Mr Grindlay added: “Sutton
Valence School’s pass rate has improved consistently now for more than a decade.” Students at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls have been praised by their head teacher Mary Smith for “putting in the work needed”, with more than 40% achieving A*-A grades and 91% A*-C. Top achievers included best friendsAlice Cachia and Helen Oakes who earned seven A*s between them (three and four respectively.)
Annex plan for barn DR HUGH Vaux has applied for listed building consent to convert a barn to create annex accommodation at Green Hill House, Otham Green Hill, Otham. His supporting statement says the con- versionwill have “minimal effect on the ex- isting structure”. Maidstone Council will determine the planning application.
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