Public Examination Results 2012

Record IB Examination results were recorded this year with an average point score of 35.3, the highest since Sherborne introduced the International Baccalaureate five years ago. Three boys achieved 40 points or more with Charlie Dennis gaining an impressive 42 points to secure his place at Oxford to read History.

Results at GCSE and IGCSE bucked the national downward trend with an increased performance at all levels. Just under 30% of all results were A* and just over 60% were A*and A with performance A* to B at 86.4%. There were a large number of outstanding individual performances with George Campbell topping the list with 10 A*. Other higher achievers included 9A*1A for Harry Drake, Christian Pugsley and Jamie Williams, 8A*3A for James Sewry and 8A*2A for Paul Myatt. Excellent department results at A*/A inc luded English 85%, Physics 75%, Music 88%, Art 100% and Religious Studies 90%.

Strong A level results were recorded by the U6th with just over 60% of grades being A*/B. Sixteen boys secured straight A*/A grades and included Oliver Combe Tenant who gained 5A*, Nick Glasse 4A* and Toby Fuller 3A*1A. Boys have secured places at top universities including Oxford, Bristol, St Andrews, Warwick, KCL and Exeter. Congratulating all the boys on their excellent results, Headmaster Chris Davis said that the school was proud of the effort that had been put in over the academic year and that the achievement reflected a determination by pupils and staff to set ambitious targets. Dr David Smith, Deputy Head Academic, gave particular praise to the 5th form commenting that 'We are delighted that the percentage of boys achieving the highest grades at GCSE in the school this year has increased on last year. The boys will be starting their A levels or International Baccalaureate studies in September with an excellent foundation for future academic success'.

League Tables

As in previous years, Sherborne has decided not to submit public exam results for inclusion in national league tables.
Full context is key in interpreting all statistics and no more so than with public examination results. We believe that public exam tables are flawed in a number of respects; the attempt to equate the outcome of different post 16 programmes with inadequate conversion rates, their inability to address the fluctuations and inconsistencies that punctuate public exam marking and the failure to include revised and raised grades following the remarking procedure which can often involve numerous mark movements. With appeals pending, including whole cohort coursework mark reviews, Sherborne will not be appearing in public exam tables but will publish all exam results on the school website once the remarking and appeal process has been concluded.
This decision also comes from a strong belief that the full measure of a school's achievement should not be judged by public exam performance alone but also by the nature and character of the young men who leave the school after five years at Sherborne.

Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2012