Bradfield College’s Summer of Outstanding Academic Success Continues

First and foremost, today is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our fantastic students, so we start with them.

At our celebration brunch this morning, Aine told us, “I am really pleased with my grades and I am going to Warwick to study Politics and Philosophy. I will miss all the sport at Bradfield. I will also miss my amazing friends and supportive teachers. I am so grateful to my House Mistress and Tutor who have helped me so much over the past two years. One of my favourite memories was organising the Palmer to Mumbai Oscar Challenge, which has resulted in the opportunity to visit the Oscar Foundation in Mumbai this year.”

Benji who achieved A*AA in Business, Geography and Religious Studies, shared that, “I am very happy with my results, and I thank my teachers who helped a lot and offered one-to-one meetings and regular feedback before the exams. I am looking forward to exploring new parts of the world and experiencing different cultures during my gap year. Following this, I am going to study Philosophy and Theology at Durham. Bradfield has very much helped me prepare for this.”

Emma, our outgoing Head of School, achieved AAA in Chemistry, Economics and Maths, and an A* in her EPQ. She is going to Durham University to study Accountancy and Finance. When we asked her what she will miss most about Bradfield, she said, “How can you narrow it down to one thing? The diversity of opportunities in sport, music, and drama has been hugely enjoyable. What makes Bradfield so special is the people, the staff, the students and everything in between. Living here and experiencing life with all my friends for the last five years has been the best part of Bradfield and something I will miss a lot.”

Isabella achieved A*A*A*A* in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A in Latin. She has a place at Oxford University to read Mathematics. When we spoke to her today she told us, “I’m absolutely over the moon about my results and beyond grateful to all of the teachers who have supported me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ve made so many brilliant memories, with amazing people whom I cherish. I will forever be grateful to Bradfield for an incredible five years.”

Isla, received three Bs in her subjects of Fine Art, Business and English Literature. She messaged us to say, “my teachers have played a big role in helping me grow academically and become more confident in my abilities. Their support, encouragement, and guidance have helped me understand difficult topics and improve my work. Because of their help and the effort I have put in, I have achieved grades that I am extremely pleased and proud of. Their belief in me has motivated me to keep working hard and aim even higher.” Isla is taking a gap year before going to Newcastle University.

Jack, who studied Business, English Language and History of Art, messaged to say “I got three Bs in my A Levels, which I am really pleased with and which sets me up well for the Business School I am now going to attend. But Bradfield has been about so much more than just my work and singing in numerous concerts, playing football, being Head of House and leading charity initiatives have been just as much part of my education.”

Josh, received grades of A*A*A in History of Art, RS and Business with an A in his EPQ. He told us, “I’m absolutely delighted with my results, and I think they really show how much support I’ve had at Bradfield, especially as my A Levels were such a big improvement from my GCSEs. I’ll miss so much about Bradfield, but particularly the people I’m leaving behind. I’ve had the best time and feel unbelievably grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.” Josh will study Finance: Business Management with Industrial Experience at the University of Exeter.

Lottie achieved BBC in Drama, History of Art and Politics and has a place at Loughborough University. She told us, “Today I am celebrating by flying to Cyprus for a girls’ holiday. I am feeling excited for what the future holds and grateful for the experiences I had at Bradfield. The teachers’ support helped me to achieve grades that I didn’t think that I was capable of achieving and I’m eternally thankful for them. I am looking forward to my gap year before heading off to university.

Sophia achieved A*A*A in Biology, Economics and Chemistry and an A* in her EPQ. She has a place at the University of Bath next year to read Biomedical Sciences. She told us that, “Bradfield has helped me enormously over the past 2 years in both academic subjects and in co-curricular life. It is a very nurturing environment for students. In particular, I would like to thank my Housemistress and house staff for making Bradfield feel like home. My subject teachers have been amazing at providing extra booster sessions and clinics each week which helped us to consolidate our learning in different subject areas.”

In July, Sixth Formers at Bradfield College celebrated achieving an outstanding set of International Baccalaureate (IB) results which serves to place Bradfield amongst the strongest performing schools nationally and globally. We are absolutely delighted that this year’s cohort of A level students have achieved excellent results with a highly impressive tally of ‘A’s and ‘A*’s. Remarkably, over seventy of our Upper Sixth Formers have achieved 3 ‘A’s or above at A level (or the equivalent within the IB). This constitutes over 40% of the entire Sixth Form, and it is an achievement which is indicative of the aspirational culture and intellectual ambition embraced by students and staff.

This summer, 52% of all A level entries and Higher Level IB entries resulted in the award of an A or A* (or equivalent) and we have equalled our strongest ever tally of A* grades (17%).

Over recent years, Bradfield’s reputation for academic success has been in the ascendant, and yet the College remains a proudly inclusive community which inspires young people to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives. Whilst outstanding teaching has resulted in an enviable reputation for adding positive value across the curriculum, there is a purposeful dynamic within the Sixth Form that values scholarly pursuits alongside national success in sports and an enviable reputation for creativity in the performing and visual arts.

There are many individual performances to celebrate, and these include Theo who achieved A*s in Physics, Maths, Further Maths, English Literature and the EPQ. Ollie achieved A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry, whilst Cecily achieved A*s in History of Art, Mathematics and Economics.

This year, Bradfield Sixth Formers will head to some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and overseas. Isabella, who achieved 4 A*s, will head to Wadham College, Oxford to read Mathematics. Joshua (2 A*s and 1 A) heads off to Cambridge to read Natural Sciences, and Luca (3 As) will pursue his love of music at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he has been awarded a choral scholarship.

Over 80% of Sixth Formers are heading to Russell Group (or Top Twenty) universities and these include Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, UCL, Imperial, St Andrew’s and Manchester. Others are pursuing exciting options internationally. A number of students are heading to America, including Jess, who has a prestigious sports scholarship at Syracuse; Jess represents England U18 at hockey. Those hoping to pursue a career in the performing arts include George, who will start a placement year at Oxford School of Drama.

Head, Jeremy Quartermain writes,
‘These excellent results are achieved within the context of a community that enables young people to grow in confidence whilst inspiring them to develop a lifelong love of learning. Our fantastic teachers support and encourage our students which helps them to fulfil their true potential. Whilst the headline statistics are obviously very impressive, our true delight arises from the privilege of being able to observe our students developing into exceptionally rounded young people. This cohort of Sixth Formers are kind, compassionate, creative, and driven and they have served as excellent role models for our younger students. On a personal level, I am deeply moved by the courage and resolve demonstrated by those who have faced considerable adversity. Bradfield is a place where truly compelling stories are made.’

Deputy Head (Academic), Jamie Emmett says,
‘I am incredibly proud of all that our pupils have achieved. Today is about celebrating not only these excellent results, but the progress, determination and hard work of every individual throughout their time at Bradfield. I am hugely grateful to the many teachers and colleagues whose expertise and encouragement supported them along the way. It is particularly exciting to now see our pupils looking ahead to such a wide range of opportunities and futures, and we wish each of them every success in what comes next.’

Individual Stories

• Benji’s result of A*AA in Business, Geography and Religious Studies means he is celebrating a confirmed place at Durham University to read Philosophy and Theology.
• Jess achieved A*AB in Design, Physical Education, and Biology, and has already started her studies at Syracuse University in the US as a D1 Athlete playing Field Hockey.

• Ginny achieved grades of A*AA in English Literature, Drama and Mathematics, as well as an A in her EPQ. Her results mean she has secured her place at St Andrew’s to study English Literature.
• Carina has secured her place at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance to study Music Performance and Industry. She achieved A*A*A in her A Level examinations in Music, History of Art and English Literature.
• George will be studying at the Oxford School of Drama after receiving ABB in his Film Studies, Drama and Business A Levels.
• Roanna achieved A*AAA in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Set on pursuing her goal of working in the automotive industry, Roanna is off to the University of Warwick to study Automotive Engineering.
• Emma, our outgoing Head of School, achieved AAA in Chemistry, Economics and Maths, and an A* in her EPQ. She is going to Durham University to study Accountancy and Finance.
• Luca achieved AAA in Drama, History of Art and Music, as well as an A* in his EPQ, will pursue his love of music at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he has been awarded a choral scholarship.
• Isabella achieved A*A*A*A* in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A in Latin. She has a place at Oxford University to read Mathematics.

• Josh achieved A*A*A in History of Art, Religious Studies and Business, and is heading to the University of Exeter to read Business Management.
• Sophia achieved A*A*A grades in Biology, Economics and Chemistry, and she also received an A* for her EPQ in which she researched anabolic steroids and their effect on the human body in relation to sports performance and their effects on biological tissues. Sophia will take up her place at the University of Bath to read Biomedical Sciences.

• Billy’s A*AA grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics mean that he has secured his place at the University of Exeter to study Mathematics and Data Science.
• Sam is heading to the University of Edinburgh to read History of Art after achieving A*A*B grades in Art, History of Art and Geography.

• Minnie is off to Newcastle University to study Marketing after achieving A*AB grades in Photography, Business and English Language.
• Hendrix A Level grades of AAA in Economics, Geography and History of Art mean that he has secured his place at Durham University to study International Relations.

• Lola achieved A*A*A in Art, Politics and Business and will be studying Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh.
• Lucas, who achieved A*A*A in History, Politics and Classical Civilisation, as well as an A* in his EPQ, is heading to the University of Bristol to read Liberal Arts with a History Pathway.

• Freddie achieved A*AA in Religious Studies, Politics and Business, and has secured a place at the University of Exeter to study Politics and International Relations.