STAFF and pupils at Woodhouse Grove School, based in Apperley Bridge, are once again celebrating the outstanding A Level success achieved by Year 13 students today with an A Level pass rate of above 99 per cent and the average UCAS points per candidate at 149 – the equivalent of AAA at A Level.

Woodhouse Grove does not position itself as an overtly ‘academic’ school but instead prides itself on the all-round education offered to pupils. The thinking behind this unique approach is based on focusing on the individual strengths, motivation and talents of each student in preparation of ‘real life’ after school. Academic success inevitably follows as students learn methods of working that best suit them and develop genuine enthusiasm for their subjects – a stark contrast to the pressurised hot house approach often pushed in the private sector. This ethos helped the School achieve the highest ranking of “Excellent” from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in March 2017.

There were some outstanding performances from a number of Woodhouse Grove’s students including Cecilia Zhao and George Wilkinson who both achieved over four A* grades and will be reading Geography at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford and Engineering at Durham University respectively. Victoria Watson (A*A*A* A plus four AS subjects at A grade or better) and Eleanor Halstead (A*A* A and an A at AS level) will also be going up to Oxford to read PPE and Music and Ailsa Ferrie (A*A*A* plus three AS subjects at A grade) will study Medicine at Birmingham University.

James Lockwood, Headmaster said: “I am delighted that so many of our students have achieved first class A level results, that are a fair reflection of their conscientious approach and determination to succeed. Over one third of our students have attained grades ABB or better in their results with a 32 per cent A*/A pass rate. Such results are also testament to the dedication of our teaching staff who, like me, are very proud of the successes of every individual. I am confident that our students will find that their academic, sporting, cultural and social education at Woodhouse Grove will stand them in good stead for their time at University and beyond. We wish them all the very best for their future and look forward to seeing what these Grovians will achieve in years to come."