Pocklington School celebrates A level and BTEC success of ‘Class of 2023'

Students at Pocklington School are celebrating today as they proudly mark the end of their two-year Sixth Form journey with outstanding A level and BTEC results.

The ‘Class of 2023’ has not only showcased remarkable courage, drive and resilience, but has also placed unwavering trust in themselves, their peers and teachers and the dedicated academic, co-curricular and wellbeing support offered by the School.

These achievements reflect the relentless dedication of both students and staff. Pocklington School is committed to nurturing quality relationships between teachers and students and recognises the importance of this collaborative approach as an integral element in ensuring our students’ success. The incredible outcomes attained by our students are testament to their positive approach to learning, determination to excel and drive to work hard, and will undoubtedly serve as pillars of strength as they navigate their future pathways.

Overall, 65% of all results were the A* to B grades (or BTEC equivalent) sought by Russell group universities and 60% of students gained at least one A grade or above with 36% of students gaining at least two A* or A grades. Fourteen different subjects had 100% A* to C grades. Our students have much to celebrate and have more than matched the School’s pre-pandemic examination results.

Tim Morris, Head of Sixth Form at Pocklington School, expressed his admiration for the Class of 2023. "These students have demonstrated a level of commitment and resilience that is truly remarkable. Their unwavering belief in their own abilities, coupled with the exceptional support they have received from our dedicated team, has propelled them towards achieving these outstanding results. I have no doubt that their exceptional achievements, and the strong bonds formed within the Pocklington School community, will be the foundation for their continued success and bright futures. I extend my warmest congratulations to the Class of 2023 and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”

Toby Seth, Headmaster, praised the leavers and said “This year's Sixth Form leavers’ cohort should be extremely proud of their achievements and efforts. These are a very strong set of results, reflecting a wonderfully dedicated and enthusiastic year group to whom we wish the very best of luck as they look forward to exciting and varied futures. Of course, behind the statistics we must also remember how their time through school was significantly different to the norm, what with two periods of school closure, bubbles and all the trials and tribulations brought about by the pandemic. These were also their first ever public examinations and, given all of this, our leavers should hold their heads particularly high today. My thanks go to all colleagues, parents and relatives who worked in support of them and the very warmest of congratulations to our Class of 2023. We look forward to seeing them thrive.”

As we bid farewell to the Class of 2023, they prepare to embark on a wide variety of chosen paths which include employment, apprenticeships and varied gap years, in addition to studying for degree courses at university, both nationally and internationally, and conservatoires.

Alex Brown is grateful for the education and support she received at Pocklington School, especially from the Design department. She gained skills in metal work and 3D CAD that have prepared her for studying Product Design at Loughborough University. Alex's A level design project caught the attention of the Orange Bikes factory, and she was invited for an interview to discuss her innovative idea for creating a mountain bike attachment to assist disabled users.

Maegan Bull-Diamond is preparing to study modern history with a focus on American studies at Northumbria University. She is particularly excited about the opportunity to study abroad for a year, immersing herself in a new culture and expanding her horizons. Maegan has taken advantage of various opportunities whilst at Pocklington School, including being the History subject assistant and forming clubs for history and politics students to deepen her own knowledge and inspire peers to engage in the subject. Maegan is appreciative of the support received from teachers and friends and believes that her time at Pocklington School has played a crucial role in shaping her personal development, equipping her with important skills such as time management, perseverance, and empathy.

Emma Forsyth is excited about her upcoming gap year and her future pursuit of Equestrian Sports Science at Hartpury University. Emma is thankful for the academic support she received at Pocklington School as well as the various co-curricular activities that helped her to grow as an individual.

Henry Hudson is heading to Durham University to study Computer Science and is grateful for the opportunities and personal growth he has experienced whilst at Pocklington School, saying: “The past ten years at Pocklington School have enabled me to accelerate my learning and interest in many subject areas by encouraging countless opportunities outside lessons, and I have been able to develop the ambition to create many of these opportunities myself.” Earlier this year, Henry’s innovative tech idea to help the homeless, brought him third place success in the national and highly prestigious competition, Solve For Tomorrow, run by Samsung UK.

Evie Parkinson is excited to begin a year of travel before embarking on a Psychology degree at Liverpool John Moores University, with the long-term goal of specialising in clinical or occupational psychology. Evie says: “I can’t thank the teachers enough for consistently supporting me and making each day so enjoyable during my time at Pocklington School. I will miss being in a place that has been so positive for me.”

Isadora Philip is enthusiastic about studying Zoology at the University of Edinburgh and the new-found independence and cultural experience that comes with it. She fondly recalls the immense support she received during her time at Pocklington School, particularly from her teachers, saying: “Pocklington is such a unique community. It has allowed me to dive into anything and everything with my most cherished moments being those in the Tom Stoppard Theatre – the epitome of the beauty and magic of the stage. I will truly miss the happiness and smiles that surround Pocklington School and wish for everyone to embrace the opportunities as time really does fly by.”

Zac Stewart is looking forward to studying mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge in the Autumn and can’t wait for the academic challenges and the chance to join new clubs and societies. He believes that Pocklington School has played a significant role in his personal growth, teaching him important qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience through various activities like Combined Cadet Force, the prefect team, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Zac appreciates the independence he has gained at Pocklington School which has encouraged him to enter competitions, explore books and seek additional resources to expand his knowledge. Whilst he looks forward to his new journey, Zac admits: “I will miss the tight-knit community at Pocklington School and the student-run events like House Drama and Music.”

Tharian Suraj is eager to be heading to the London School of Economics to study Geography and Economics and experience the vibrant culture of London, saying: “Pocklington School has provided me with a well-rounded education, allowing me to excel in sports, build lifelong friendships and prepare me for the challenges of university and beyond.”

Kai Swanborough aspires to work internationally in graphic design and will attend the IED, University of Barcelona, for a four-year graphic design course. He plans to continue his work in the digital agency he founded in the UK and Spain. Being from a family of Old Pocklingtonians, Pocklington School holds a special place in his heart saying: “For me, I think one of the best things about Pocklington School is that it’s different. It’s somewhere you always feel at home, you develop strong connections with teachers who treat you as peers and gain strong friendships and become part of a community. It’s a warm and welcoming school that is much more than just a place to learn. I look back very fondly over my memories at Pock.”