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 Invicta Grammar School. They achievedatotal of nineA*sand three As.Emmaand Lauren are off to Cam- bridge and Megan to Oxford.
Theywere not the only triplets cele- brating. Jack McCabe, of St Simon Stock Catholic School gained a place at Oxford University to read English after getting two A*s and two A grades. Together with his sisters,Orla and Eliza, the triplets achieved three A*s and five A grades between them.
Leylandii to be felled
VALERIE Brown has been given permission to fell six leylandii trees in South Lodge, Church Green, Marden. The trees are adjacent to thewestern boundary. The scheme also includes removal of a dead sil- ver birch in the rear garden. Maid- stone Council granted planning consent butordered theplanting of another silver birch.
There were big smiles all round as these sixth-formers from Cornwallis Academy discovered their results
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.)
School celebrates its 50th in sixties’ style
COXHEATH Primary School is celebrating its 50th anniversary in September with an afternoon tea party.
Home-made cakes, scones, drinks and sweets from the 1960s will be on the menu, along with activities such as a bouncy castle, fancy dress com-
petition, raffle and photograph andmemories at the event from 2-4.30pm on Saturday, Septem- ber 28. There will also be dance and
music performances. Former pupils and teachers
are invited to come along with their family and friends.
To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 Anyone with memories to
share can email them to the school at office@coxheath.
kent.sch.uk by Friday, Septem- ber13, andtheywillbein- cluded in a display along with many old photographs. All pro- ceeds raised will go towards the school.
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