The headmaster of one of leading North Wales private school Myddelton College has praised students celebrating winning places at university after today’s A-level results.
Over 77 per cent of Myddelton College students gained A star to B passes and have already been accepted at some of the UK’s leading universities including Warwick, Keele, Liverpool, Bath, Exeter and Lancaster.
Andrew Allman, who is leaving to take up a new post as headmaster of Lucton School, in Herefordshire, said the latest cohort of students had worked hard, including through a time at school affected by the pandemic, and the fact that most would be going to the university of their choice was a tribute to them.
He said: “They have worked hard and shown a lot of grit and resilience and we expect the vast majority to be embarking on the next phase of their lives next month at the college of their choice.
“It has been quite emotional but very satisfying – there students were in Year Seven when I came to Myddelton and so I have seen their journey through the school and it’s good to finish with such a fantastic set of results and such high standards.”
Over 55 per cent of the 31 students gained at least one A-star or A grade while Du Tran, from Vietnam gained an A-star and three As and she will be returning to the UK in September to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Warwick University.
Glesni Reece, from St Asaph, with an A star in Government and Politics and As in England Language and History, is off to Durham University to study Politics and she was relieved that the wait was over.
She said: “I was so scared. I worked so hard and just sacrificed everything – I spent every single free lesson in the library studying because I was just totally focused in getting into Durham.
“I would like to be involved in politics in my career but for now it’s just been so nice to read books simply for enjoyment.”
Her mum, Hayley, said: “She has spent all her time before the exams on the sofa with her books so she really deserves these results. She sacrificed everything for them.”
Harry Pye, from Prestatyn, armed with three As in Business Studies, History and Government and Politics, is headed for Bath to take a degree in Politics and International Relations.
He said: “I got what I wanted and I’m going where I wanted. I wanted to come to Myddelton and I’ve been here five years.”
His mum, Tina, said: “Harry brought us to an open day here and we walked round and saw the students doing their work and I had to agree with him.”
Myddelton Head Girl Lili Tetley-Young, from Gellifor, is headed for Warwick University to take Politics and Global Sustainable Development after gaining three As in Business, Geography and Government and Politics.
She said: “I always wanted to go to Warwick. It’s the best for sustainable development courses and that’s what I fell in love with.
“I would like to travel with my work in future and perhaps work with international governments but for now I’m just so excited.”
Her mum, Mary, joked: “I’m going on a gap year myself now. I’ve felt like I’ve done the courses myself but she’s really worked hard and there’s been great support from the school and her subject teachers have been brilliant.”
Harriet Knapp, from Prestatyn, gained As in Biology and Psychology and a B in Maths is thrilled to be going to York University to take a degree in Biological Sciences.
Harriet has spent the summer working at the Beach Hut at Prestatyn’s Nova Centre and she said: “I’ve been terrified of this day but now it’s totally like Christmas morning.
“Over the summer I decided I wanted to go to York even though I’d only been there once in my life so I’m very happy. I’ve met a lot of good people here at Myddelton.”
Iwan Stott, from Lloc, near Holywell, gained As in Business and Economics and a B in History and will head for Exeter or Loughborough to study Business and Economics and Finance with International Experience.
Andrew Thompson, from Denbigh, gained an A in Maths and Bs in Computer Science and Physics and will also head to Lancaster University to study Astrophysics after spending time after the exams studying – for his Level Two tennis coaching certificate.
He said: “I’m really pleased. Lancaster is very good for physics and the sciences and it’s very much like the Vale of Clwyd with plenty of hills for walking so I’m looking forward to it.”
His mum, Alison, said: “He’s been at Myddelton for seven years and he’s really enjoyed it and made some very good friends.
“The small class sizes were a huge positive and the online capability at Myddelton is really good.”
Andrew Allman added: “Much has been made of the fact that grades have dropped back to pre-Covid levels but we shouldn’t forget these students still had to go through all those difficult times and to come through that with the results they’ve gained says a lot for them.
“They have worked hard and shown a lot of resilience and they are now embarking on the next phase of their lives next month and most of them at their first-choice university.
“The most important thing for us is that our students achieve their full potential as part of a well-rounded education to prepare them for university and enable them to get the most out of their further education.”
Myddelton College, an award winning Independent co-educational day and boarding school, was the UK’s newest independent school when it opened in the autumn of 2016 and is the only school in North Wales with a 5G network.
The school currently has over 360 pupils and 70 staff, 35 of them teachers and for more information about Myddelton College go to https://www.myddeltoncollege.com/