Record breaking A level examination results!

There were smiles all around as A level students opened their envelopes to the best set of A and A* exam results EVER for the school, with over half of the Sixth Form achieving 2 or more A/A*. A record breaking 16% of pupils achieved 3 or more A* grades and a staggering 40% of students were awarded 3 or more A and A* grades.

Headteacher, Ms Sarah Forster, said “we are so proud of our students, they have worked really hard and they deserve to celebrate this excellent set of results today.  We are fortunate to have such a dedicated family of staff that have worked tirelessly to support our students.  It is a great day for all at TGGS”

The number of A* and A grades awarded in external examinations is the highest in the school’s history and some of the highest in the country for a state school. In total, almost 60% of the grades achieved were A or A* and nearly 80% were A* to B. Of those applying to university this year, 81% will take up places at their 1^st choice option, and 70% of applicants will attend prestigious Russell Group universities.

Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Tania Grigg, paid tribute to the approach of all the students in the ‘Class of 2022’ saying “despite all the challenges of education through the pandemic, this cohort of students have simply excelled themselves. Some of our students had to overcome immense personal issues during the past two years and I am so very pleased that they have been able to achieve their dreams. We are pleased for all who achieved what they needed, from the Oxbridge students, the medics and the vets - all of whom got places – to those pursuing degrees in humanities and the arts”.

As a former Head of Geography, Mrs Grigg is particularly pleased for Georgie Scoot, who is going to Princeton University to study Social Sciences. She found out she had won a scholarship during a geography fieldtrip. Despite competing in athletics at a national event the weekend before her A levels began, Georgie has achieved 3 A* grades.

With the record-breaking examination results achieved this year, there are too many amazing achievements to list them all, but Mrs Grigg would like to make special mention of Erin Snape who achieved an incredible five A* grades and is going to study Robotic Engineering at Bath University. Emily Rosser scored four A* grades, in French, German, Geography and Maths. Emily is hoping to take up a place at Freiburg University to study Liberal Arts. Amy Bell, a talented dancer and performer, achieved three A* and is going to study Sports & Exercise Science at Bath University, where she is also hoping to be selected for the GB Rowing Start programme.

“We are just so privileged to have such an array of talented students” Mrs Grigg continued “Despite the media reports about the problems of students accessing medicine courses, we have had huge success with all of our medical applicants offered places to study and achieving the necessary grades. Maddie Hooker gained four A*s and will read medicine at Oxford. During her A level studies she found the time to run our Medsoc group, preparing not just herself but other students as well for the rigorous medicine application procedure.”

Mrs Grigg also commented that it was wonderful to see so many female students pursuing Engineering and Mathematics at university. Lauren Ramsey, for example, is using her three A*s to study Mathematics at Southampton University, whilst Isobel Grafton is using her two As and two Bs to study aerospace engineering at Birmingham University. 51% of this year’s university applicants are taking up STEM related courses.

“It is also really pleasing that so many students have chosen to study degrees so they can make a real difference to our planet” she said. “Leilah Poulain, who joined us for the sixth form, is using her A and two Bs to study Conservation Ecology at Exeter University after a gap year, where she has secured a role with a local conservation charity. Rose Ryder is going to use her three A*s to study global development at Bath University. Chloe Stone gave so much to the community of TGGS as PHSE lead, working with younger students at TGGS and Torquay Boys School. She has achieved three A* and one A grade and will study Social Sciences and Politics at Durham. We really hope we have set our young people on a path where they can not only secure their own futures but also make a difference in the lives of others.”