STEADY RISE IN ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Published by Hurstpierpoint College on Wednesday 30th of November 2022

Over the last 10 years, there has been a steady rise in academic standards at Hurst. This year’s results have been extremely respectable and proof that academic excellence is the foundation of a Hurst education. The value-added results are a tribute to the hard work of both students and staff, plus an intelligent approach to the linearisation of academic study across the college which allows students to build on their knowledge and skills, year-on-year.

A-level results

Taking their first ever set of external examinations, our Upper Sixth achieved a remarkable academic standard in their A-levels. There were 38.2% A* grades, 74.8% A/A*s and 94.8% at A*, A or B grades. As expected, there was a general drop in the number of top grades awarded, but Hurst’s A*/B percentage was only slightly under last year’s record-breaking result. In addition, 92 students successfully completed Level 3 Extended Projects, achieving 91.3% A*/B grades, and our BTEC Sport students received another excellent set of results with 73.3% D* grades.

Five students obtained four A* grades, four gained three A* and one A grade, 23 students collected three A*s, three received two A*s and two As, and 20 others were awarded two A*s and one A grade. One achieved two D* BTEC grades along with an A* at A-level and three had two D* BTEC grades with an A at A-level.

Oxbridge

Six students obtained the required grades for Cambridge University. Jim Bridger (four A* grades, an S and a 1 grade on his STEP papers) is reading Mathematics at Christ’s College; Finlay Di Castiglione (four A*s and an A* EPQ) and Jessica Larner (4 A*s) are taking Economics at Girton College; Luke Morris (three A*s and an A* EPQ) is studying English at Trinity Hall, while Amber Wallis (three A*s and an A EPQ) is reading Veterinary Medicine at Girton College. Michael Miskin has started his Engineering course at Emmanuel College, having achieved four A* grades in 2021.

Studying at Oxford University are Samuel Biss (three A*s and an A EPQ), Biology at Pembroke College; Charlie Hobbs (two A*s, an A and an A* EPQ), Ancient and Modern History at Merton College; and Lara Turner (three A*s and an A), Spanish and Linguistics at Oriel College.

Russell Group universities

Others with outstanding results include twins Daniel and Kevin Halm Alvarez. With four A* grades, Daniel secured his place at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is reading Economics. Kevin is studying Computing at Imperial College having achieved four A*s and a 2 grade in his STEP paper. Matthew Fish, with three A*s and an A grade, is at Manchester reading Computer Science; Charlotte Swan, also with three A*s and an A grade, headed to Bath to study Chemistry. Charlie Trumble, with three A* grades and an A* EPQ, is at Nottingham taking Medicine.

Of our A-level leavers, 91% secured places at their first-choice university with a considerable number studying at Russell Group universities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s College London, Leeds, Newcastle, Queen Mary University of London, Southampton, UCL, Warwick and York. Alongside the more traditional options, some students have secured places on a range of innovative STEM degrees, such as Climate Science (Durham), Medical Biosciences (Imperial), Aerospace Engineering (Manchester), and Mechatronics and Robotics (Leeds). Humanities and the Arts are also strongly represented, with students taking courses on Philosophy and Theology (Edinburgh), History of Art (UCL), Drama, Applied Theatre and Education (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama), and English and Classical Studies (Bristol), amongst others.

GCSE results

The percentage of top GCSEs grades (9 and 8) achieved this year were higher than any previous year in which external examinations were taken – further evidence of a rise in academic standards. Overall, 1,049 9/8 grades were awarded, and 94.8% 9-6 grades were achieved. In a year group of 164 students, 89 had nine or more 9-7 graded subjects, 77 gained eight or more 9/8 passes, and 13 had nothing but 9s. Joseph B, Madeleine B-S, Samuel D C, Victoria F, Harry F, Sanne J, Ben M, Kayla M, Anna R and Toby T all gained 11 grade 9s. Close behind were five who collected 10 grade 9s and an 8, and five who achieved 10 grade 9s. Three further students collected a total of 11 9/8 grades and an additional 20 students collected a total of 10 9/8 grades.

“Without resorting to gaming the system, becoming highly selective or culling students post-GCSE, the college has strengthened its academic culture, focused on the quality of teaching and supporting students to achieve their very best” - Tim Manly, Principal