The Maynard School: Best in the West
The Maynard School in Exeter is proud to be ranked the top school in the whole of the South West following last week’s publication of the Department for Education’s School and College Performance tables.
“We are delighted to report that once again the performance tables have recognised the outstanding achievement of Maynard girls at A-level,” said Tom Hibberd, Director of the Sixth Form. “The Maynard is the highest ranked school in the South West* and 17th** nationally, outperforming the likes of Colyton Grammar, Exeter School and Cheltenham Ladies’ College. This reflects the girls’ wonderful performances in the most rigorous and recognised A-levels available.”
The table is based on the percentage of students gaining AAB or above, with at least two of these subjects facilitating subjects at A-level. Facilitating subjects are those A-levels recognised by the prestigious Russell Group of universities as essential grounding. They include the traditional core of a rigorous education – Mathematics, Sciences, History, English, Geography, Modern Languages and Classics. “The Maynard girls’ success in these subjects was reflected in our university admissions where 100% of our students gained access to their first choice university, successfully competing for the most competitive courses at the country’s finest universities. They are also regarded as essential qualifications in many professional careers, enabling our girls to thrive at university and beyond,” said Mr. Hibberd. “Indeed the girls performed splendidly in every measure provided.”
The league tables reflect an incredible year for The Maynard in which it was voted as one of the top ten best value independent schools in the country (by the Telegraph) and the Headmistress was awarded ‘Teacher of the Year’ at the Pride of Exeter Awards in December 2015. In addition, the school boasts the U13 Devon hockey champions and the U14 Devon netball champions as well as a host of elite individual sportswomen succeeding at both national and county level. Just recently, six students gained Merits or Distinction in their Associated Board of Music examinations at Grade 6 and above.
“As a school we continue to go from strength to strength,” said Bee Hughes, the Headmistress, “and I am thrilled that we are now officially recognised as the top achieving school ahead of all our competitors in the West Country. This is testament to all the wonderful staff and the sheer hard work of our students – clearly we are collectively quite a force to be reckoned with! Earlier this week I received an email from a former student who has just been offered a place at Queens’ College, Cambridge (to read Natural Sciences) which perfectly sums up the Maynard experience:”
“I couldn’t have done it without your help and the help of all the amazing teachers at the Maynard. I am really excited about going to Cambridge but still can’t quite believe that it is true! Thank you so much, not just for the help you gave me with my university application but also for all you’ve done for me over the years. Everyone was so supportive, and I am so grateful. The Maynard is amazing and I couldn’t think of a better place to have gone to school,” said Eloise Kidner, who left in summer 2015.
“Whilst we are brilliant academically we also excel at so many other levels and I am most proud of the fact that everyone here is supported in finding their niche. Essentially, our greatest achievement is turning out fantastically well-grounded, happy and able adults when they graduate from the school,” said Ms Hughes.
