Torquay Girls Grammar Sixth Form students smash pre-pandemic results! Three-quarters of all grades were A*-B

There has been much media interest in the 2023 A Level results but despite national changes to pre-pandemic grading, Torquay Girls’ have seen an increase from the 2019 results, with almost 73% of students achieving 3 or more A*- B grades!

Nearly a fifth of students achieved all A*/A grades at A level. There are too many names to mention but Tania Grigg, Head of Sixth Form, made special mention of a few students: Madison Cooper-Thompson, who joined us for the sixth form and has gone on to achieve 3 A* grades; she is going to study International Business and Modern Languages at Exeter University. Lottie Bowden achieved all A*s and will go on to study Medical Sciences at Exeter also.  Alice Thompson achieved all A*s and will study Chemistry at Manchester University. Chloe Powell achieved all A*s and will study Zoology at Manchester also.

We are just so privileged to have such an array of talented students. Sian King achieved 2 A*s and 1 A grade, taught herself Korean and will be going to study Korean and Japanese Studies at Sheffield University.

Despite the huge increase in the number of applicants and subsequent competitiveness for medicine courses, we have had incredible success. Ashleigh Hughes received offers from all four of her choices. Achieving all A grades, she is off to study Medicine at Exeter.  Lucy Webber is also off to read Medicine at Newcastle University. Lucy really is multi-talented – during the exams she was also competing in the National Rowing championships at the Henley Regatta. She also found the time to run our Medsoc group, preparing not just herself but other students too for the rigorous medicine application procedure. Estelle Roots, on top of holding some of the fastest Under 20 100m times in the country, achieved 1 A* and 2 As and will be studying Medicine at Cardiff.

Mrs Grigg also commented that it was wonderful to see so many female students pursuing Engineering and Physics at University. Maya Gyosheva, for example, is using her three A*/As to study Engineering at Warwick, whilst Lydia Hancock is using her 3 A*/As to study Theoretical Physics at Royal Holloway.

Many of our students are now choosing different routes, frequently opting for degree apprenticeships. We have had considerable success, for example Maisie Wilson who joined us for Sixth Form, achieved 4 grade As and has secured a degree apprenticeship with DEFRA. Violet McArdle beat 1000s of other competitors to secure a Project Management degree apprenticeship.

As a former Head of Geography Mrs Grigg also commented that is also really pleasing that so many students want to study degrees so they can make a real difference to our planet as well as local communities. Lisa Hoerning, who gained 3 A* and an A is off to study Politics and Geography. She gained an A* in her EPQ which focuses on designing a skate park in her local area, as well as finding the time to lead campaigns on Climate Change. Jumanah Awad gave so much to the community of TGGS, working as PHSE lead, working with younger students at TGGS and Torquay Boys’ School. She has achieved two A* and one A grade and will study Journalism at Cardiff University. Isabelle Spurle achieved 2As and a B and is going on to work in our local community after achieving success in selection for the Police Degree Apprenticeship scheme.

Headteacher Ms Forster says ‘ today is not about the national headlines or the pandemic – it is about every individual student and their achievement.  We are really proud of all our students today and it is a pleasure to see them achieve their goals for their next steps ahead and celebrate’.