Success ‘truly earned’
The Downs students ‘an incredibly motivated and determined group’
THE Downs School, Compton, has celebrated A-level and BTEC successes, with leavers now looking forward to diverse futures.
Head girl Niamh Walker attained five A*s, including an extended project qualification (EPQ), confirming her place to study biomedical sciences at Oxford.
Antoni Pilat, Asher Dunnett and Alice Knight were awarded four A*s each, with Antoni to study mathematics and computer science at Oxford and Alice music at Oxford. Asher has a place at Downing College, Cambridge to study economics.
Asher said of his experience taking A-levels: “It’s been strange learning from home, but the school have done a great job helping us. It’s been weird, but we’ve been able to carry on with our learning – and that’s shown up in our results.”
Alice said: “I’ve studied at The Downs School since Year 7 and got four A*s in music, English literature, maths, and further maths.
“I am now going to read music at St Anne’s College, University
of Oxford.
“I’m so thrilled with my results and absolutely can’t wait to start in October, and I’m so happy for all of my friends’ results and exciting next steps too.
“Huge thanks to all my fabulous teachers at The Downs – it was really lovely to be able to come in for an in-person results day and see everyone.”
Lauren Jones and Joel Kilbane netted three A*s and an A, while Isabella Brown and Ellen attained two A*s and two As.
William Bailkoski and Amber Morrison have been awarded one A* and three As, Eloise White and Izzy Kind four As, and Jack Botham, Phoebe Hoaen and Megan Lockie three A*s each.
Two A*s and an A were awarded to Isabel Bill, Georgie Brooks-Ward, Margaux Burdess, Abbygail Davies, Poppy Pugh, Arjun Sanghera and Alex Silverthorne.
Sixth form head Pete Hogan said: “We have already read stories of grade inflation in the national press, but the simple truth is that our students have worked incredibly hard to achieve such an outstanding set of results.
“Nobody has given them these grades.
“Our students have taken part in a really rigorous programme of assessment that was at least as challenging as the normal exams, so they should all feel really proud of what they have achieved during their time at The Downs School.”
Headteacher Chris Prosser said: “Even before the pandemic began, we knew that Year 13 were an incredibly motivated and determined group of students.
“Having gone through two lockdowns, they have experienced more challenges than any year group before them.
“They faced these challenges head on and, with the support of their teachers and the sixth form pastoral staff, really thrived.
“I have no doubt that these experiences will help them to achieve just as much success when they begin their university courses, apprenticeships and jobs.
“We could not be more proud of this cohort of students – they have truly earned their excellent results.”