QE Celebrates Outstanding A Level and BTEC Results

Published by Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate on Wednesday 11th of September 2024

The excitement is palpable at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, where both independent senior schools are celebrating a wave of exceptional A Level and BTEC results. Delighted students, parents, and staff are basking in the achievement, with every student in the celebratory photograph having secured an offer from their first-choice university—a testament to their hard work and dedication.

Situated on a modern, well-equipped campus near York, Harrogate, and Leeds in Thorpe Underwood, Queen Ethelburga’s offers a unique educational experience across its two senior schools, alongside its prep and middle schools. This setup allows for highly personalised care and guidance, supported by an innovative curriculum tailored to meet the individual needs of each student.

This year’s results are truly remarkable: across the two schools, 78% of A Level grades were awarded A*/A, while an impressive 73% of BTEC grades in the QE Faculty were at Distinction* or Distinction level.

Queen Ethelburga’s students have once again aimed high, securing places at prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, Durham, King’s College London, University College London, and Bath, among other top UK and global universities.

Head of QE Faculty, Lauren Blakeley, said of the results, "Our Year 13 students thoroughly deserve the excellent results we’ve seen today. Their hard work, determination, and community spirit have shone through both in their studies and their contributions to school life. This reflects the ethos of QE Faculty, where academic excellence is balanced with success in other areas such as sport and performing arts. We are thrilled to see our students embarking on exciting adventures, from studying Dentistry and Motorsport Engineering to Archaeology and Illustration, at universities across the UK and beyond. We wish them well and will continue to support them as they join our alumni community. A huge congratulations to everyone!"

Sebastian’s Journey: A Shining Example of Leadership and Dedication
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Sebastian, a Year 13 student at QE Faculty, exemplifies the success celebrated at Queen Ethelburga’s. Starting his journey in Year 9 as a shy newcomer, he has grown into a confident leader, serving as both Head Boy and Captain of the First XV Rugby team. His remarkable personal growth and unwavering commitment to both academics and extracurricular activities embody the core values of Queen Ethelburga’s.
Sebastian’s natural talent for rugby and his dedication to his studies have led to outstanding achievements. Whether pursuing a professional rugby contract or studying Management at Loughborough University, Sebastian is poised for a bright future. His leadership, service, and determination to give back to the school community highlight his strong character and integrity.

In rugby, Sebastian’s relentless drive and discipline have earned him the captaincy of the Yorkshire Academy on multiple occasions, attracting attention from elite teams. His academic achievements are equally impressive, having successfully applied to top universities. Sebastian’s extraordinary qualities and potential are a true reflection of the calibre of students at QE Faculty.

Head of Queen Ethelburga's College, Steven Turner commented that, "The results that have come in today reflect the aspiration and hard work of our Year 13 students. They are the culmination of an inspiring educational journey, whether that has been over the course of two years or twelve. Our College students have excelled not only in traditional academic routes like medicine but also in more experiential fields such as engineering. We wish them every success as they embark on their next steps and look forward to hearing about their continued achievements.​​​​​​​"

Georgia’s Story: Academic Excellence and a Passion for Medicine
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Georgia's academic journey at QE College is a testament to her dedication, curiosity, and empathy. Having started her education with us in Year 2, nearly 12 years ago, she has consistently stood out as an exceptional student. Her hard work and perseverance have culminated in an offer to study medicine at Oxford University, a reflection not only of her individual brilliance but also of the nurturing environment at QE College.

Georgia's academic achievements are remarkable. She has consistently excelled across multiple subjects, ranking in the top 5% of her year group in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Her methodical approach to practical work and her keen ability to critically analyse experimental data underscore her commitment to excellence in every aspect of her education.

However, Georgia’s dedication to learning extends well beyond the classroom. She has gained invaluable real-world experience by shadowing anaesthetists at Leeds General Infirmary and undertaking work experience in a neurosurgery department. These experiences have profoundly deepened her understanding of medicine and patient care, fueling her passion for the field.

Georgia's intellectual curiosity is further exemplified by her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), where she explored the purpose, function, and benefits of antidepressants, focusing particularly on neurology—a field that has captivated her interest. Her project earned the highest possible marks and was singled out as exceptional by the examination board moderator, showcasing her drive to push the boundaries of her knowledge.

But Georgia’s achievements go beyond academics. She is a well-rounded individual who has actively participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. As Deputy Head Girl, she has demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to her school community. On the sports field, she has represented both her county and school in hockey, embodying the qualities of leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. Georgia’s ability to balance her rigorous academic schedule with her sporting pursuits highlights the values of dedication and time management that QE College instils in all its students.

Adding to her accolades, Georgia was recently awarded the title of 'Best Student of Spanish in the United Kingdom,' a prestigious honour given by the Ministry of Education in the Embassy of Spain. This award recognises not only her top Spanish grades but also her exceptional overall academic performance.

Principal of the Collegiate, Daniel Machin, reflects on the achievements of the Year 13 students:
"We are immensely proud of our Year 13 students – for today’s results, for the people they have become in their time with us at QE and for the well-rounded, resilient and ambitious adults they will go on to become. We prepare our students for their futures – our two senior schools exist to give a diverse choice of options for our students, to find the fit they need to succeed within their examination years, inside and just as importantly, outside the classroom.

This is because today is about more than the results they received, it is about celebrating our students achieving all their aspirations and goals and being proud of the young adults they have become. The whole of the Team QE community wishes them well on the next part of their journey."

For more information about studying at QE, visit www.qe.org