Another fine set of GCSE results for Maynard School
After the success of last week’s A-Level results, The Maynard School is thrilled to have posted yet another outstanding set of results at GCSE level.
Students at the South West’s leading independent school for girls have outperformed the national average to an extraordinary extent with 66% achieving A* and A grades and 91% gaining A*, A and B grades across a broad spectrum of subjects.
By contrast, nationally the GCSE results show the sharpest decline on record and the national average for A* - C grades is only 66.9%, proving just how well the Maynard girls have done.
Despite being predicted 10 A*s there was still an element of surprise for Exeter’s Amy Chambers when she peeled open her envelope this morning to find that she had lived up to expectations. “I felt the pressure going into the exams and I was really nervous but everything was absolutely fine. I got my 10 A*s and an A in my Higher Project so I’m just so happy and relieved.” Amy can now look forward to A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry with a view to a career in Engineering.
By contrast Jasmine Reay from Torquay will be veering towards the Arts after also achieving 10 A*s and an A* in her Higher Project. “I know I was predicted these results but I never thought it could happen. I was really worried about my Maths and Physics after the exams so I’m just so pleased.” In September, Jasmine will join the Sixth Form to study English, History, Latin and German.
A huge proportion of the Maynard students juggle their studies with incredible extra-curricular achievements and none more so than Sabella Attenburrow (from Kenton) and Hazel McCorriston (from Exminster) who all achieved 9 A*s as well as an A Grade in their Higher Projects.
Sabella, who is an outstanding actress, found her revision period over Easter was hugely interrupted with rehearsals for a London show with the National Youth Music Theatre. “I decided I wanted to do the show which was really risky. It basically meant that I just had to work as hard as possible during the exam period which clearly paid off. It was a bit of a worry as I didn’t have as much sleep as I should have sometimes but it all turned out fine thankfully.”
Likewise, Hazel juggles her studies with a place on the GB squad in Dressage and has a firm eye on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. As such she competes in the Premier League most weekends, travelling the length and breadth of the country, and has a gruelling training schedule each day. “It’s pretty difficult to juggle sometimes. Some days I have to get up really early to get all my homework done but it’s paid off so I’m really happy. I’ve just got to keep both balls rolling so I don’t close off any career options and just see where I go from here.”
The GCSE results could not be a better endorsement for the School and its team of dedicated and professional staff. Bee Hughes, the outgoing Headmistress, was delighted to be moving on to pastures new in the knowledge that the Maynard is clearly thriving as one of the top performing schools in the country.
“Once again, students at The Maynard have performed remarkably well at GCSE, with exceptional achievements at A* and A Grades. This will form a wonderful foundation for students moving on to A-Levels, and we are very proud of all our girls,” she said in her final official statement.
Miss Sarah Dunn, the current Deputy Head and Director of Sport at Plymouth College takes up the reins as Headmistress from 1 September 2016.
