Two students from Sidcot School have achieved the grades they needed to go to Oxford University. Molly Scull from Winscombe and international student Youren Yu will be studying German and Mathematics at St Hilda’s College and Corpus Christi College respectively.
Molly who gained A*AA is delighted to have secured her place at Oxford. The 18 year old who has been a student at the Quaker school for four years said: “If you want to do well at Sidcot you can. Teachers are definitely committed and always willing to give help outside of lessons, but it isn’t overly stressful – I put pressure on myself because I enjoy my subject and want to do it at the highest level possible.” Youren who has only studied in the UK for three years, achieved four A Levels at A* grades. Before taking up his place at Oxford, he intends to travel and explore the variety of cultures in his native China.
Sidcot students have once again significantly exceeded the national average for A Level results with 81% of grades awarded between A* to C and 20% of students gaining at least three A Levels all at grade A or above. The overall pass rate was 98.6%.
Headmaster Iain Kilpatrick said: “I am delighted with our results which are testimony to the hard work and diligence of our students, combined with the commitment of teachers and support of parents. Our students will soon be starting courses at a wide range of universities on the next stage of their educational journeys. However, every bit as important as the grades that allow them to do so, are the values, developed during their time at school, that will support them in the choices they make and in achieving the goals they set themselves.”
The independent Quaker school also offers the International Baccalaureate which gives students the opportunity to study 6 subjects. The average score for Sidcot students in 2014 was 33 (out of a possible 45) which has a university tariff equivalent to three A* grades at A Level.
The school’s Quaker values play an important part in preparing students for their future. Mr Kilpatrick said: “We live in challenging and unsettled times where our young people need both intellectual rigour and moral courage to challenge orthodoxy and play their part in making the world a better place. I hope that our leavers will be able to do this based on the knowledge and confidence they have acquired in their time at Sidcot. We are all very proud of them and wish them well! “