Sixth Form leavers are today celebrating a superb set of results, with just under half (48%) of all examinations awarded the top A-Level A*/A grade (or IB equivalent) and 79% of examinations graded A* to B. Their results represent the highest grades secured since A-Levels were reformed in 2017 (outside the changed arrangements during the pandemic) and will see the boys go on to study a spectacular range of courses at league-topping universities.
This year, the variety in courses chosen is a real highlight and reflects the school’s inherent diversity. Boys take up places in fields such as Architecture, Business Management, Computer Science, International Relations, Biochemistry, Product Design, Russian, Sport Management, Sustainability and Environment Management, Urban Studies, and Zoology. As well as the more traditional subjects such as Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Modern Languages, all types of Engineering, Law, Economics, Finance and Politics.
The most popular university destinations include Durham, Imperial College London, King’s College London, Lancaster, Leeds, Loughborough, Newcastle, Queen Mary University of London, Edinburgh, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff and Exeter.
Boys are also taking up degree apprenticeships in accountancy and engineering, as well as those beginning Art Foundations and courses at music conservatoires.
Sam Baldock, Acting Head Master (during James Hodgson’s sabbatical), stated, “I sincerely congratulate the boys for their outstanding achievements, which are testament to their hard work, and all the guidance and support from their teachers and families. As a group of boys, they have also given tremendous support to each other – championing and encouraging each other’s successes across all manner of academic and co-curricular areas. We are delighted that most woke up this morning to the happy news that they would be taking their first steps as Old Bedfordians at their chosen universities.”
Arun Penhall was “elated” with A* in French, A* in Geography and A in English Literature. Arun will now go to King’s College London to read English Literature. “It was so nerve-wracking waiting for my results. I went onto the UCAS website first and just kept refreshing until I saw that King’s had accepted my application, which was lovely. I then checked my results and was over the moon because I was not expecting them to be so good.”
“The teachers here have been tremendous with their support. Always at the other end of the email and they reply so quickly. I remember emailing one of my English teachers at about 9.00pm one evening and I got a reply within 15 minutes. Also, the pastoral care here is amazing. All the teachers really care about each pupil individually and the whole year group worked well to help each other out.”
Will Reddy achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science, and will go on to read Computer Science at Trinity Hall College, Cambridge. Will explained, “My subject teachers really helped to push me by going through extension questions, which allowed me to get to the level needed. They have always been there to offer support when needed.”
Will has been an avid member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force while at school, which he has enjoyed outside of his academic studies as well as playing football and table tennis.
Max Leung achieved a superb set of results in what was an extremely challenging time after his mother passed away just before he sat his exams. Max, who was a boarder at the school, was thrilled to be awarded four A* in Chemistry, Maths, Music and Biology, which will see him go on to Imperial College London to read Biochemistry.
Max explained, “My biggest challenge was to focus on my revision because my mum passed away during the Easter break and it was very difficult to get myself out of the hard times. However, school teachers and staff members were very encouraging and gave me a lot of love during this difficult time and provided me with a lot of strength to get through this period. I feel very grateful for everyone who gave me the love.”
Max also enjoyed school to the full, serving as the President of the Music Society, playing in the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra as well as being on the school’s Basketball A team.
Sam Maling will begin the next chapter of his life in Canada at the University of Toronto after achieving A* in English Literature, A* in Religious Studies, and an A in History.
Talking of his results, Sam said, “I’m really buzzing, and it sounds like everyone has done really well which I’m really pleased to hear.”
Sam, who was president of the English Society, Debating Society and Philosophy Society during the Sixth Form, went on to explain, “Learning a strong exam technique was so important and all credit goes to my teachers for helping me do this over the last few years. Running the societies meant I got to pursue my personal interests alongside my studies.”
Ivan Iankov has secured a prestigious Tsotsorkov scholarship to Imperial College London to study Physics with Theoretical Physics after achieving four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science. Ivan is extremely pleased with his results explained, “I am very grateful for my teachers who have provided incredible support throughout my school career, and a big part of my success is down to the passion, motivation and advice they shared with me.”
Filip Arvinte achieved three A*s in English Literature, Geography and Economics and will go to Manchester University to read Law. Filip explained that staying resilient throughout the A-Level course was his biggest challenge, but the school has been amazing in helping him stay on track. “Particularly my teachers who went the extra mile to try and push me to improve my weaknesses”, he explained. During the Sixth Form, Filip has been president of the Debating Society and took part in Model United Nations.
Isaac Dutson who has been a boarder here, achieved three A* in Maths, Physics and Biology and is extremely happy with his results after all the hard work he put in. Isaac will take a gap year to help finance university and travel and after this he is hoping to study biology at Bath University, but with his excellent grades is now considering applying for Oxford or Cambridge to do life sciences.
Isaac told us, “I have really enjoyed being part of the music making at Bedford and representing ‘the eagle’ on the hockey and cricket fields. I am grateful to my peers and my teachers for pushing me to work hard and keeping me busy.”
Scott Gildersleve who was also a boarder achieved an A* in Maths, A* in Physics and an A in Chemistry and is relieved after overthinking his performance in the exams. As one of the school’s top rowers, Scott has found fitting in studying while training a big challenge. Scott explained that school has helped him develop an all-round profile, giving him opportunities on the sports circuit as well as in academia where he has been an active member of both the Physics and Chemistry Societies. Scott will go to Imperial College London to read Material Science and Engineering.
Huw Burton-Pye achieved three A*s in History, Economics and Politics and is very happy and grateful for all the hard work his teachers put in to helping him over the last two years. Huw received additional help from the school’s SEND department who gave him support with dyslexia – a topic that Huw is very happy to talk publicly about. He told us, “My teachers were there every step of the way and whenever I had questions they were there to support – this has helped me immensely throughout the whole process. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them.”
Huw is a talented musician having been part of Chapel Choir throughout his time at school and will continue choral singing when he starts at Durham University to read Politics and International Relations in September.
Ben Smith achieved an A* in English Literature and Geography, and an A in History, and will go on to read English Literature at Durham.
Ben explained, “The teachers have been a massive help. We had about half a term to go over and over exam technique, and teachers would tailor lessons to go over the topics that the boys needed additional support in.”
Ben was president of the History Society and enjoyed the Debating Society.
Shaun Thomas also did better than predicted achieving three A*s in English, History and Spanish and A in Economics. Shaun is now rethinking his original first choice and will take a gap year to get hands-on work experience, as well as volunteering for local charities, while he considers applying for Oxford or Cambridge.
Keshav Navalkissoor was delighted with A*s in Maths and Further Maths and As in Economics and Physics. Keshav said, “I am very happy and relieved as I got my first university choice of London School of Economics to read Maths and Economics. The teachers helped me to stay motivated, especially towards the end. They gave me a lot of support, for example, helping to mark and give me feedback on extra past papers in the days before the exams.”
Keshav enjoyed all the sports on offer while at school, especially cricket, and was a member of the Pythagorean’s Society which was “a lot of fun”, he said.
