The biggest-ever Year 13 at Queen Elizabeth’s School are today celebrating a strong set of A-level results, maintaining an unbroken record of top-level academic performance stretching back almost two decades.
The benchmark figure for the proportion of grades at A*–B remains above 95% for the 19th consecutive year. In addition, more than half the grades awarded to QE’s 173 final-year pupils were again at the highest-possible grade, A*, with almost a quarter of the year group achieving straight A*s.
The results cap a year that has seen QE pupils amass a formidable collection of university offers: 62 of them came from Oxford and Cambridge, a new School record; no fewer than 55% of boys secured offers to a university in the World Top 5 QS rankings; and 22 of the UK’s 24 Russell Group made offers to QE applicants.
The Year 13 students sat a grand total of 582 A-levels – an increase of 40 over last year. While Economics, Mathematics and the Sciences remained as popular as ever, there was a surge in take-up of other subjects offered under the School’s wide curriculum, ranging from English and Music to Philosophy, Government & Politics and Product Design.
Headmaster Neil Enright said: “There are many, many happy QE students today who now look forward to taking up places on the best courses at the best universities in the world. My congratulations go to them both on their results and on the hard work and determination that led to them.
“After emerging from the pandemic, this year group really threw themselves into the huge range of extra-curricular opportunities delivered through our QE Flourish programme, and that was no doubt a factor in their success in gaining such stellar university offers.
“Moreover, they have benefitted from the expert guidance provided through our new QE Futures programme, preparing them not only academically, but also helping them find their path in life as they identify and develop interests and broader skills. We’ve always said that outstanding results are an outcome of an education at QE, not the sole purpose of one!”
Notwithstanding QE’s position among the UK’s educational élite handful of leading schools across both the independent and state sectors, there is no question of it resting on its laurels, Mr Enright added. “We are continually looking forward with advances in our digital strategy and pastoral curriculum, while seeking to enhance our estate to deliver further opportunities for participation and excellence.
“This year sees the opening of a new studio for drama and oracy; there has been much focus on helping students communicate orally, alongside being able to communicate in writing in projects and exams. We also have ambitious plans for future investments into sports facilities, following on from new facilities for music and robotics in recent years.”
The year group have excelled in a wide range of extra-curricular activities throughout their time in the Sixth Form. For example:
- Two robotics teams flying the flag for Britain at the Battle for Vegas – the only teams from outside North America to attend the VEX event in the desert resort;
- Arjun Patel, Nathan Woodcock and Tharun Dhamodharan reaching the national final of the Pro Corda chamber music festival for schools as part of an U19 Saxophone Quintet; and
- Shivam Singh, Yash Patel and Om Patel winning a design competition run by Homerton College, Cambridge, with their project which aimed to protect construction workers’ hearing.
“We hope that students and parents can be proud of their efforts and achievements,” Mr Enright said. “School staff are on hand to work with anyone who needs support on results day and beyond.”
“Wherever our leavers are heading next, they should be equipped with the confidence, ability and responsibility to thrive. They have formed close friendships, and we have enjoyed seeing them grow as young adults. We are delighted to be welcoming them into our fast-developing alumni community, QE Connect, which provides them with opportunities to support one another in their future endeavours and to continue to help those following in their footsteps. They are Elizabethans for life!”
Click on any of the images below to see a selection of photos from results day.
