Emotion, relief and celebration as Brentwood School students collect A Level & BTEC results

Students at Brentwood School are celebrating this morning after receiving their A Level or BTEC results, in most cases the first public examinations they’ve ever sat, following the restrictions in place over the last two summers due to Covid-19. Having worked hard to overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic, today was a day when they rightly enjoyed the rewards they deserve.

Among the many individual stories of success were students Ariz Akhtar, Faraz Malik and Rishal Narayan, who all achieved four A* grades. Ariz and Faraz will be continuing their studies at the world top ten university, Imperial College London, to study Physics and Computer Science respectively, and Rishal is heading to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge to study Medicine.

Ariz was particularly pleased with his Physics and Economics grades, and is excited about continuing his studies in London, whilst Faraz paid particular tribute to Head of Mathematics Miss Warnes, who helped him prepare for the papers he needed to get into Imperial in addition to his A Levels. Faraz is hoping to start his own software company after he graduates!

Five students are heading to Oxford or Cambridge Universities. As well as Rishal, Chloe O’Connor, who received her IB results in July, will be studying English Language and Literature at Balliol College, Oxford; Kitty Vesey, who achieved A*A*A is heading to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford to study History; and after characteristically congratulating her fellow students, an emotional Deputy Head of School Rosie Parrish could hardly put into words her delight at achieving a place to study History at Clare College, Cambridge with three A* grades in History, English Literature and Drama. She paid tribute to Head of History Ms Fuller, who she described as a ‘legend’. Joanna Burgess, who is off to read Classics at St John’s Cambridge, was awarded an A* in Classical Civilisation, A* in Latin and A in English Literature. She said: “I will miss the School community, there are so many people with so many different interests at Brentwood.”

Academic Scholar Joanna, who has embraced all Brentwood has to offer including Music, Dance, the Royal Navy and Creative Writing opportunities (she has been the editor of the student-led ‘Brentwords’ magazine), said she loved her subject so much that she hoped one day to teach Classics herself. “I have received so much support from every single teacher in and outside of lessons.”

55.2% of the 433 A Level results (from 142 students) were graded A* or A, whilst of the 15 BTEC Extended Diploma students, 7 achieved the equivalent of A*A*A* at A-level and no-one scored less than AAA-equivalent. Earlier in the summer, our International Baccalaureate students achieved an impressive average of 40 points (the equivalent of A*A*A*A* at A-level). Over 80% of students are going to their first choice destination.

The high achieving BTEC cohort (8 in Business and 7 in Sport) are heading to a range of destinations including Durham University, King’s College London and the Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham to study courses as diverse as Criminology, Digital Media, Culture and Technology, and Health and Exercise Science, further illustrating the School’s aim to enable all students to achieve their best possible outcomes.

Among them, football star Millie Stacey, who represented England U18s in the Independent Schools Football Association, received a clean sweep of top grades in her BTEC Sport Diploma and heads to the University of Bath to study Sport Management and Coaching. England’s recent success in the European Championships will have no doubt given her renewed energy for the future! Lily Tappin is a current UK equestrian event rider and also achieved D*D*D*. She will be entering the equestrian industry.

BTEC Business student Isla McIlwraith, whose father also attended the school as a student himself, and collected the results on her behalf, secured the top D*D*D* and has elected to study Criminology at City, University of London.

Jess Smith, who gained A*s in English Literature, French and Politics and is also a Deputy Head of School, becomes the first member of her family ever to go to university. A delighted Jess, who is bound for Durham to read Law, said opening her results letter was a special moment for the whole family. “There was no pressure,” she joked. Jess, who has her sights set on becoming a solicitor, thanked all her ‘amazing’ teachers and the school for arming her with revision tips and exam techniques.

Alex Hung’s passion for motorsports moves up a gear as he speeds off to Bath to study Aerospace & Engineering. Alex, who secured an A* in Further Maths, A* in Maths, A* in Physics and A in Chemistry, hopes to one day work for Formula 1.

Four students will be taking up much sought-after Apprenticeships at city firms, including first XI footballer Joel Winter at PWC, Kerys Walton at wealth management business St James’s Place, Louisa Allen a professional qualification in accountancy at Grant Thornton and Cameron O'Shea at Guy Carpenter Reinsurance Company.

Nicole Fergus, who has appeared in every major School production since Year 7, was delighted with her A in Drama & Theatre, B in English Literature and B in Religious Studies. Nicole, whose school highlight was the lead in the Winter Theatrical ‘Sister Act’, will continue to tread the boards as she studies Drama, Applied Theatre and Education at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.

Double bassist extraordinaire Sam Lee secured offers from all seven conservatoires to which he applied, and has plumped for a much sought-after place at the Royal College of Music.

Sam was joined by fellow music alumni Heather Trevelyan, who received an A in Classical Greek, A in Music and B in Psychology, and will continue her acting and musical theatre aspirations on a foundation year at LAMDA.

James Turner is one step closer to his dream of becoming a commercial pilot after securing an A in Music, A in Spanish and B in English Literature. Cadet Warrant Officer James, who was head of the Combined Cadet Force RAF section, will study Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training at Buckinghamshire New University giving him the opportunity to gain a degree alongside practical training.

Headmaster Michael Bond, who was delighted to see so many students in attendance this morning, commented: “This is an impressive set of results from a talented and resilient cohort of students who have worked incredibly hard for themselves and for each other over the past two years. I’m delighted that so many are going to their first choice destination, including top universities within and beyond the UK and degree-apprenticeships. As a community, we all pulled together to minimise the impact of Covid and today’s results are testament to the efforts of colleagues and students alike. I wish all our leavers the very best for the future and we look forward to hearing about the positive difference they will undoubtedly make in the years to come.”