Sherborne boys achieve A Level and BTEC Success

We are delighted to congratulate this year’s Upper Sixth Form leavers upon an excellent set of exam results.  The challenges facing this cohort have been formidable.   Having experienced great disruption and uncertainty during the pandemic, including having their GCSEs cancelled, these were their first full set of public examinations. They also knew that a return to pre-pandemic grading standards would result in significant national grade deflation.  Despite all of this, and thanks to their hard work and resilience, the boys have done superbly well, achieving over 40% A* to A grades at A level and with more than three quarters of their papers graded A* to B. Meanwhile, the BTEC results were again exceptional with 93% graded Distinction* or Distinction (with D* being equivalent to an A* at A level and D to an A grade). 

Equally pleasing is the fact that over 70% of those who applied to study at a UK university secured their first-choice places at institutions including Oxford, UCL, Bristol, Bath, Newcastle, Durham, Edinburgh, Nottingham and Leeds. Reflecting a growing trend, several boys also won places at prestigious European, US and Canadian universities including Berlin, Stanford, Boston, Berklee College of Music, McGill and Toronto. 

Reflecting their wide-ranging academic interests, the boys have opted to follow courses ranging from Astrophysics and Anthropology to Computer Science, Film Production, History, Mathematics, Music, Neuroscience, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Motorsport Engineering, Psychology and Physics.

Our Headmaster, Dominic Luckett, praised the boys’ efforts and achievements, noting that their academic success has not been at the expense of other accomplishments, which have once again included ATCL music performance diplomas; outstanding results in ABRSM and LAMDA examinations; high level sporting successes; Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards; and an appointment as a First Sea Lord’s Cadet.  One of them even achieved two Guinness World Records following a solo flight around the world.  As Dr Luckett says, ‘These fine young men have shown tremendous tenacity and resilience, alongside exceptional reserves of talent, intellect and kindness.  We will miss them very much but I have no doubt that they will all go on to achieve great things and help make the world a better, kinder place’. 

Our congratulations go to them all, and also to their many sisters and friends at Sherborne Girls who achieved similarly excellent results.