Today we are celebrating the many successes of our Fifth Form boys, who received their GCSE results this morning and earned an impressive clutch of top grades. Over a quarter of the results received were the top grade 9, with half of exams graded 8 or above.
James Hodgson, Head Master, said, “This is a superb set of results and today is an opportunity to congratulate our boys as well as their teachers, families, and all who have supported them through the many challenges that the circumstances of recent years have posed to their education. These boys have not only worked extremely hard but have also shown great resilience during an unprecedented time. Well done to them all – they thoroughly deserve their success”.
We now look forward to welcoming these boys back in a few weeks’ time to continue their educational journey with us by studying either the International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-Levels in the Sixth Form.
We spoke to some of the boys about what their results mean to them:
Ivan Iankov was thrilled to learn he had achieved ten grade 9s and while he hoped he had done well, he said “seeing it in black and white was a relief!”. While Ivan worked hard in the lead up to his exams, he also wanted to thank his teachers who helped stretch his efforts explaining, “My teachers gave me extra resources, which gave me the opportunity to improve my understanding and read wider into the subjects.” Ivan will go on to study maths, further maths, physics and computer science at A-Level.
Max Leung, one of our boarders, who is currently at home in Hong Kong was relieved and very happy indeed with nine grade 9s. To say he was apprehensive about opening his results was an understatement – Max told us, “I was very nervous and my heart was pounding so hard when I logged on to check my report. But after I saw what I got; it was such a relief to see that my hard work had paid off. The school helped a lot with moral support and I am very grateful for all the people who helped me do my best.” A talented musician, Max will study music, maths, chemistry and biology at A-Level and hopes to be a music performer or work in the medical field.
Shaun Thomas, who gained ten grade 9s told us, “I was extremely relieved, happy and thankful to God, to find that the hard work I had put in over the last three years resulted in 9s in all ten of my GCSE subjects.”
Shaun worked extremely hard in the lead up to his exams, putting in lots of hours of revision, but he explained that it was the school that gave him the edge and helped push his marks to the maximum. Shaun told us, “From general revision tips to revision clinics during the exam period, the school organised many study sessions to assist students outside the daily timetable with many teachers spending their additional time marking past papers and giving feedback.”
Shaun will now go into Sixth Form to study Economics, History, English and Spanish at A-Level, the next steppingstone on his way to pursue a career in law.
Tom Cameron-Fraser was relieved more than anything to learn he gained a staggering eleven grade 9s GCSE. Like the other boys, Tom put in a lot of hard work, and the top grades were proof to himself that he was capable of doing well.
Tom reflects on a tough two years in the lead up to the exams, when the pandemic caused disrupt to his lessons, and explained, “Ever since going into lockdown back in Year 9, the school really pulled through to deliver just as good teaching online as in the classroom. Without this I don’t think doing as well would’ve been possible.”
Tom will study French, Spanish, Maths and Politics at A-Level, but beyond that is keeping an open book for the future.
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fter a nerve-wracking wait, Alexander Hall, came into school straight from a work placement and was over the moon to get eight grade 9s and two grade 8s. Having been at Bedford School since Year 5, he says the teachers have taught him how to organise himself and manage his studies alongside the many cocurricular activities he enjoys. Alexander will study the International Baccalaureate at Sixth Form as he says, “it will help me keep an open mind about my future plans”. His Higher Levels will be art, physics and maths.
After an enormous sense of relief, Jason Fasanya felt excitement and love as his family started congratulating him on achieving six 9 and two 8s. Jason, who is aiming to study a maths or economics related course at university said, “My teachers have been extremely vital in my achievement as they would often give up their personal time to help me improve my areas of weakness.”
After a nervous morning, Aiden Ainsworth was delighted with his set of seven grade 9s and four grade 8s. Aiden has his sights set on playing professional rugby, and with a few seasons playing for Northampton Saints U18s squad, he is well on his way to fulfilling this ambition. In September, Aiden will study the International Baccalaureate at Sixth Form as it will give him a much broader education, which suits him better. His Higher Level subjects will be Spanish, history and economics. He also said that throughout his time at school his teachers have “always been there for me and spent time helping me when I have been stuck.”
Jack Harte was beaming from ear to ear with eight 9s and two 8s and is already looking forward to starting Sixth Form to study business, English literature, history and geography at A-Level. Just after opening his results, Jack told us, “When I opened the email, I was very happy that all of the hard work had paid off. The school has helped me to do well by running clinics to help in topics I did not understand and if I had a question outside of school time it was always answered by email.” Jack is spending the summer on a work experience placement to help him decide what he might do after Sixth Form.
Keshav Navalkissoor was “extremely happy” to achieve 10 grade 9s. He told us that despite the disrupted couple of years, his teachers were always on hand to answer his questions and help. Keshav will now study maths, further maths, economics and physics at A-Level.