Aug 23, 2018 | Ackworth School
Pupils and teachers at Ackworth School, a non-selective independent school, are celebrating another year of improved GCSE results despite the difficulties posed by the reformed courses. Many excited pupils flocked to the school today to receive their results. They have all done very well!
Last year the school achieved 85.6 % A*-C. This year it has increased to 86.1%. Over 8% of all grades at the school were 9s (on the new 9-1 scale with 9 being the best), which is outstanding considering that only 0.2% of all students nationally achieved this grade. Our results include students in our International Centre who attend the school to learn English and make up about one third of the GCSE cohort.
The improvement has been achieved as a consequence of the effort of our students and the dedication of their teachers who have had to adapt to the new, more rigorous GCSEs. The overall pass rate shows a continued upward trend at Ackworth School.
Jeffrey Swales, Academic Deputy at Ackworth School, said: “100 per cent pass rates in Art, Religious Studies, Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as outstanding results in Modern Foreign Languages show the breadth of ability as well as the range of subjects offered at the School. Given that we are not a selective school, we are rightly proud of our students’ achievements in English, Mathematics and Science, where pupils have performed beyond expectations.”
Notable performances were achieved by Henry Hackwell with 2 A*, 5 Grade 9s, two 8s, and one 7; Maddie Cusworth 1 A*, 6 Grade 9s, one 8, and two 7s. On the old system Henry’s grades equate to 9A* and 1 A and Maddie; 8 A* and 2 As.
Many of our students will return to sixth form life at the School in September, studying the full range of A Level subjects. Some, including several new students from Australia, Canada, Spain, Thailand, Slovakia and Singapore, will be a part of the school’s exciting new residential Football Academy.
A Level results at Ackworth were also very good this year, with those students staying at the school clearly benefitting from the small class sizes and an excellent rapport with their teachers.
Many of our Sixth Form students board; day scholars are encouraged to try boarding too, where they have the opportunity to become more independent, preparing them for their next step in life. It is something that sets us apart from other schools. As a boarding and day school, we open our doors at 7:30am and close at 10:00pm.
Aug 16, 2018 | Ackworth School
Ackworth School pupils are celebrating another successful year of A level results with record numbers gaining a place at university.
Students and staff have worked hard to achieve an outstanding pass rate of 96.4% with 30.7% A* to A grades, which is a significant increase when compared to previous years. 55.5% grades were A* to B and 76.6% A* to C. Eleven students achieved AAB or above.
The results exceed many of the pupils’ predicted grades and there are a significant number with value added. The Head, Anton Maree, said: “I’m very proud of our students, all of whom have worked hard to achieve their grades. Congratulations must also go to my colleagues, whose commitment and dedication have been rewarded.
“Whilst academic achievement is vital to gain a place at a university, the approach to learning and the depth of experience are also important. Ackworth School specialises in offering a rounded education which supports each pupil as they develop their individual skills, confidence and independence which will serve them well in the future.”
These academic results are only one part of our success. Pupils in Ackworth School’s Sixth Form learn a great deal through participation in our varied extra curricular programme. Many take a leading role in our activities, including organising our annual Charity Week, House Sport, Drama and Music competitions, as well as taking part in our various stage productions and inter school sports. As a small school there are opportunities for all and excellent support from our skilled teachers. Another success is the way in which the school supports and encourages many individual students’ talents and interests.
We are particularly proud of Zoe Ma, who achieved a place at Cambridge University, gaining five A levels including 3 A*, 1 A and a B. Zoe will read Engineering at Downing College. Holden Zou gained four A levels, 2A* an A and a B, and will read Mathematics at University College, London. Ellie Williamson also did very well, achieving 1 A* and 2 As. She will study Dentistry at the University of Birmingham. Head Boy, Sam Raby, gained four A levels, 3 As and a B and he will go on to read Mathematics at Newcastle University. Khalil Duncan who gained 1 A*, 1A and 1B is going to read Aeronautical Engineering at Sheffield.
Ali Boucher, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Our A level students have made an impressive contribution to the school. Every year we set ambitious targets for our pupils and once again they have delivered. They are a talented group and I am not at all surprised that they have done so well. Many of them will head off to study at the UK’s best universities, and they will go with our best wishes.”
Aug 16, 2018 | Ackworth School
Well done to our A Level students who are celebrating great results again this year.
A*-C: 76.5%…up 4% on last year
A*-B: 55.9%…up 1% on last year
A*-A: 30.9%…up 7.4% on last year
Jul 10, 2018 | Ackworth School
Old Scholars’ Cup Citation 2018
This person has set themselves extremely high academic standards, and would be forgiven for focusing solely on themselves and their attainment. That is the least that they have done. They have supported members of their community; they have acted as last-minute teacher, coach and source of reassurance. This person does not just support others of a similar age: they are an important figure in their community, and are a pillar of support for the young and old.
This student knows what it is like to be without security and remembers the pressures and burdens this brings. It is a sign of empathy and determination that he was instrumental in bringing about Ackworth School’s first refugee respite day, in which people who have sought refuge in the UK from all over the world were able to visit Ackworth to enjoy a day of games, art, music and community friendship.
Outside his A-Level academic studies, this student has worked as a volunteer translator, project worker, befriender, receptionist, resettlement support worker, tutor and community activist with a number of different organisations: the Claremont Community Centre, the Horton Housing Association, Enable 2, Bevan Healthcare, the Syrian Association of Yorkshire and The Refugee Council.
There is a saying, that when it comes to telling a personal story, you should speak from your scars, not from your wounds. This student’s story is one which resonates and still hurts, but it is shared openly and honestly, not to elicit sympathy but rather to communicate the powerful reality of what is happening in the world. This student has spoken of his feelings and experiences on countless occasions, sharing his factual, heartfelt and inspiring words to year groups, house groups and subject classes in the school; this student has shared painful and tragic details of events so that they could contribute to a powerful and compelling scene in the School’s summer production; this student has presented to and on behalf of charities, statutory and voluntary agencies across the country, to audiences in their hundreds.
This student speaks in the pursuit of truth and learning, for knowledge and empathy, sharing openly to help others learn more, regardless of the cost to themselves.
The criteria of the Old Scholars’ Cup are to show the best qualities of initiative, innovation, enterprise and service in a way which benefits the school, local, and indeed, national communities. This student does all of this and more. He conducts himself with politeness, kindness and respect, possessing a profound sense of joy and morality at his core. The winner of this year’s Old Scholars’ Cup is Ayham Al-Halabi.
