Moreton Hall students celebrate exceptional A Level results

Moreton Hall’s Upper Sixth girls are celebrating exceptional performances in their A Levels. A third of all students achieved straight As and A*s and the Upper Sixth gained the highest proportion of A*-A and A*-B grades in recent history in externally set and marked A Level examinations.

At Moreton, we celebrate more than just grades and particular mention should be made of the outstanding progress made by so many of our students during their Sixth Form journey. The number of students who exceeded nationally standardised expectations by one grade or more was more than double that in 2019, showing significant ‘value added’ during their time studying A Levels.

Subjects enjoying particular success include History, Physics, Art, Textiles, Physical Education, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Theatre Studies and Business with 100% of grades at A*, A and B, reflecting the breadth of subjects offered and accompanying success at Moreton Hall.

We are delighted to see record numbers of students taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), composed of a 5000 word research-based essay and accompanying log which develops the independence of thought so recognisable in Moreton Hall alumnae. Topics ranged from Alice’s research on ‘The extent to which the Medici Dynasty Influenced the Concept of Virtue and Magnificence in Renaissance Patronage’ to Claudia’s project on ‘Should insanity remain a valid form of defence in the case of murder?’ Over half of the Projects achieved an A* and 90% either an A* or A.

Whilst it is always hard to select individual performances, particular mention should be made of those girls who joined Moreton in or before Year 7, and so have grown up here. Deputy Head Girl Eloise achieved 3 A*s and is due to take up her place at UCL. Likewise, Lucy Gilchrist, whose 3 A*s enable her to study Environmental Science at Durham. Grace Mansell also gained 3 A*s and is taking a gap year. Grace Naylor obtained 3 A grades allowing her to study Pharmacy at Cardiff University and Maya Falah’s 3 As enable her to study Liberal Arts at King’s College London. And finally, Grace Honey whose 3 A grades with an A* in her EPQ set her on a path to study English at Nottingham. All these fantastic results are a fitting conclusion to these girls’ Moreton Hall journey.

Equally impressive has been the performance of our international students, many of whom joined Zoom lessons late into the night thanks to time differences. Particular successes include Helena, whose A*AA sees her off to Durham University to read Social Anthropology and Joyce and Wing who both achieved a mix of A* and A grades to confirm their places at Loughborough University for creative courses.

Students joining Moreton into the Sixth Form also performed exceptionally well. Ellen Rowland’s A*AA and an A* in her EPQ gained her a place at the University of Oxford to read Art History, Victoria Olavesen-Stabb whose straight As enable her to read Physics at St Andrews, and Hannah Roberts who achieved A*AA and is off to Keele to read Biochemistry.

Nearly 80% of the Upper Sixth have obtained places at their first choice universities. This is well above the national average and all the more impressive when set against a well-publicised national backdrop of the fiercest competition for university places we have seen for many years.

Principal George Budd commented: "This Upper Sixth cohort have overcome so many external challenges and dealt with the unforeseeable with positivity, resilience, humour and good grace - I am exceptionally proud of them. By any measure, these are truly excellent results and a testament to the hard work and dedication of staff and students alike."