Summer 2010

The Upper Sixth students of 2009-2010 recorded an overall pass rate (A-E) of 97% compared with a rate of 98% for the previous year. 57% of these grades were at A*-B and 76% at A*-C. The new A* grade accounted for 10% 0f the results, with English Literature and Mathematics claiming the lion’s share. Special congratulations must go to Alfred Chiang (Head Boarder), Tristan Hayward (School Captain), Kin Hung, Jennifer Po and Wilton Shu, all of whom gained at least three A* or A grades.

It was a difficult year nationally in terms of the number university places available. The vast majority, however, managed to secure their first choice and the bulk of the remainder accepted places at their insurance offer.

The Year 11 pupils of 2009-2010 recorded an overall rate of 88% (A*-C), a figure which has remained steady for the last few years. Thirteen subject areas equalled or surpassed the achievements of 2009. After the last inspection by ISC, one of the targets was to try to improve the quality of attainment at the top end of the ability spectrum. This year has seen a larger number of A*-B grades achieved (73%) and a consequently smaller number of C grades. The statistics conceal a number of less academically gifted pupils who have exceeded (according to nationally conducted baseline testing) expected levels of attainment and we are proud of these pupils as much as we rejoice in the conspicuous success of Molly Davis (10 A*), Alex Craise, Corinne Crosbourne, Sondre Torset and Nathan Plockyn who each gained A or A* in all their GCSE subjects. There remains a small body of pupils who failed to gain at least 5 GCSE passes at A*-C; tackling this will be one of our goals for the coming years.

Summer 2009

The students of 2008/2009 recorded an overall pass rate A – E of 98.2% with 18 of the 20 subjects on offer at A Level returning a 100% pass rate. This year the modal grade was A, accounting for over 30% of passes. International Synchronised Swimmer Sarah Clifford gained three As. Kitty Ip, Vincent Lee and Alex Lueng all Hong Kong students, picking up 10 grade As between them. Annabel Massey, daughter of Sir Alan Massey (Vice Admiral of Fleet) gained three straight As, and Maggie Sun five A Level passes including four As. And finally special congratulations this year to Ali Versi who gained four As despite severe medical setbacks during his course.

At GCSE pupils from Year 11 gained an overall pass rate of 89%, nine out of every ten gaining a minimum of five A* - C passes. The A* rate increased again as a result of our drive to not only improve the overall rate, but to improve quality at the top end of the spectrum. Claire Hume, Rhannon Lobo, Ali Choudhury, and Matthew Giles gained 30 A* between them and Emily-Jane Randall gained ten A* and two As.

Summer 2008

Sixty seven young people took their GCSE examinations this year. In line with the results of recent years, 87% of all entries resulted in the attainment of grade A* to C.

It was a record year in two respects: firstly, more pupils than ever before secured at least nine passes all at A* or A grade. Congratulations to Sam Jones, Megan Penney, Claire Thomas, Alfred Chiang, Edward Durkin, Tristan Hayward, Tom Icke, Arjun Patel and Liam O’Shaughnessy who gained 11 GCSE passes at A*. This is testament to one of the targets set after the last inspection, namely to maximise the potential of the most able pupils. Secondly, more pupils than ever before achieved a minimum of five passes (A*-C) pushing the rate beyond the 90% mark for the first time. This continues to prove testament to the “value-added” success for which St John’s has become renowned in the local area, working with children of a wide range of ability.

At Advanced Level, 15 departments returned a 100% pass rate and the overall rate was 98%. There was an improvement in the quality of grades attained as nearly 60% of results were gained at grade A or B and over 80% at grades A to C. Special congratulations to Ed Baker, Natalie Cush, Johnson Ling and Jayson Wong all of whom gained at least three straight A grades.

Summer 2007

In the summer of 2007, 29 Upper Sixth candidates received their examination results at Advanced Level. A total of 95 subject entries yielded an overall pass rate of 99% and once again the modal grade was A. In fact, one third of all examinations taken resulted in a grade A and over 83% of all passes were at Grades A-C. This was not only exceptionally pleasing but also represented a huge step in realizing one of the College’s development targets, namely to maintain an overall pass rate close to 100% but also to improve the overall quality of grades attained. Congratulations to the A Level class of 2007, all of whom realised their post A-level aspirations. Particular achievements include Christopher Randall (School Captain), Johnny Ip (Head of Boarding), Jocelyn Ayub and Clara Chan who each gained ‘A’ grades in three or more subjects. In terms of both quality and quantity, this was a record year.

At GCSE level, students achieved an overall pass rate (A*-C) of well over 90%. 83 pupils sat an average of 8.5 subjects each, 85% of these pupils gaining at least five passes at grades A*-C. Two subjects, Statistics and French submitted entries for Year 10 pupils in a pilot early entry. The pass rate for these pupils was 100% and the modal grade was A. Special congratulations go to Sophie Jackson and Annabel Massey from Leo House, to Kitty Ip, Jonathan Priestley, Simon Priestly and Joseph Stevens from Edwin House and to Yasmine Akamune-Miles from Alan House who between them averaged at least 10 A* and A grades. This was a fantastic achievement. There were a similar number of pupils who gained ostensibly more modest results but who, in terms of value added considerations, exceeded their earlier potential; this is equally pleasing. The vast majority of the above students are now in the Lower Sixth and working hard on AS courses. We wish them all the best for Advanced level studies.

Rhannon Lobo

Name: Rhannon Lobo
Exams taken: Four A Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths
Age: 18
Prefect: Head of House and Pastoral Care for Year 10
University choice: Imperial, London
Subject/degree choices: Medicine
Grades: 2 A* and 2 A grades

Rhannon Lobo, 18 and originally from India, joined St John’s in Year 6 and is now off to Imperial University to read Medicine after receiving two A* grades, and two A grades. Rhannon studied four A Level subjects: all the sciences (Physics, Biology and Chemistry) and Maths. Rhannon has always had an interest in the Sciences, but feels this interest developed during his time at St John’s, especially after he received the Science Prize at the Annual Speech Night at the end of his first year at the School.

Rhannon comments, “I would have been happy to have met the entry offer, but to exceed it is excellent. I have so many happy memories of St John’s; it’s been a nice experience for me learning at this independent school.”

Ben Griffiths

Name: Ben Griffiths
Exams taken: English Literature, French and Spanish
Age: 18
Prefect: Yes
University choice: Southampton University
Subject/degree choices: French and Spanish
Grades: 3 As

Ben Griffiths, 18 from Portsmouth, joined St John’s College from Priory School in Year 8. Ben is celebrating achieving 3 A grades in English Literature, French and Spanish, and is now off to Southampton University to study French and Spanish.

Ben comments, “I am relieved with my results – but it is the end of an era. I’ll be celebrating with my family tonight, and I’m off to France for a week’s holiday before I start university.”

“I have definitely enjoyed my time at St John’s. It is the best school I have been to – it is a unique school, which allows pupils to develop their talents in a secure environment. My most memorable achievement has to be my A Level results.”

Emily Hardy

Name: Emily Hardy
Exams taken: GCSE Religious Studies, English, English Literature, Geography, History, Maths, Spanish, Double Science, Religious Studies
Grades: 1 A*, 6 As, 1 B, and 1 C grade.
Age: 16

Emily lived in Spain for ten years before joining the school as a Boarder two years ago. Having just completed her GCSEs, Emily will join the school’s Sixth Form to study A Level English Literature, History, Politics and Spanish.

Emily was delighted with her GCSE results: one A*, six As, one B and one C. Emily comments, “I’m really happy. I feel really proud today – it was worth all the hard work I put in, and I’m thankful to everyone at the school who helped me.

My biggest achievement over the years here has to be when I left my family in Spain and boarded at the School for two years, before my family moved back to the UK. I was only 14 years old, but I just got on with it. I really enjoyed my time as a boarder; I now have really close friends, who I will have for life. I was really close to my Houseparents too, and they were so supportive - especially Mr Renahan. Mr Renahan would help a group of us with our Maths revision in his own time every Saturday morning from 9am – 11am. To give up his time was just so wonderful, and I was very glad of his support.”

Joshua D’Aeth

Name: Joshua D’Aeth
Exams taken: GCSE Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, English Language, English Literature, History, Spanish, Business Studies, Statistics, and Philosophy and Ethics
Grades: 9 A*s and 3 As
Age: 16

Joshua joined St John’s College in 2006, along with his twin brother Noah. Since he arrived at the school Joshua has been a keen member of the cricket and rugby teams, but has worked just as hard at his studies.

Joshua talks about his GCSEs. “I felt that my exams went well – my Form Teacher helped me put together a revision timetable and I managed up to four hours a day. I thought the hardest exam was the English Literature paper – it lasted two and a quarter hours – during which I had to write an essay on three separate pieces of literature: John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men; a collection of pre-1914 War Poems, and An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley.

The revision and commitment to his studies certainly helped Joshua achieve outstanding results: nine A*s and 3 A grades. Joshua comments, “I am relieved as much as I am happy. I am glad the wait is over and I’ve got my results – and I did better than I expected.”

After completing his A Levels at St John’s Joshua hopes to go to medical school to train as a Doctor.

Noah D’Aeth

Name: Noah D’Aeth
Exams taken: GCSE Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, English Language, English Literature, History, Spanish, Geography, Religious Studies, and Statistics
Grades: 10 A*s and 1 A
Age: 16

Noah, like his twin brother Joshua, is a keen member of the school’s cricket and rugby team. Noah joined St John’s in 2006 and since then has been working towards his GCSEs. His favourite subject was History, particularly twentieth century history. Noah enjoyed learning about the Berlin Wall, the Vietnam War and Soviet Russia.

Noah comments, “My exams went well, and I felt that I did what I set out to achieve. Revising for four hours a day was quite hard work, but I know that if I want to go to Oxbridge I have to be prepared to work hard. I found the History exam to be the most difficult – there were two papers, one was two hours, and the other one and a half.”

Noah’s hard work paid off as he was awarded an incredible ten A*s and one A grade. Noah comments about his results, “I felt a great sense of relief when I opened my results; I was pleased with what I got.”

Now Noah will focus on studying A Level History, Politics, Economics and Maths at St John’s as he hopes to read History at Oxbridge.