This year, more than ever, the wait for A level, BTEC and Pre-U examination results has been one of nervous anticipation, with conflicting reports in the press about the grading of examinations and the number of places at universities available adding to the tension pupils, and their parents, were already feeling.
It is clear from the results achieved by members of our Upper Sixth, however, that their hard work and resilience throughout the past two years have been recognised and rewarded. The lack of public examination experience imposed by Covid has not had the negative impact on Downside pupils that many feared it would, and our leavers can feel rightly proud of the results they have achieved. With so many of the cohort achieving their target grades or better, it is, perhaps, unfair to single out particular pupils, but special mention must be made of Jimmy C, Angus C, Alice C, Jacob G, Celestine H, Shotaro I and Lydia K, all of whom achieved a grade A or A* in all of their examinations. We are also delighted by the achievement of those pupils, most of whom are in the Lower Sixth, who completed the Extended Project Qualification, all of whom were awarded an A or A*. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our teaching and support staff, exams officer and parents for their inspiration, expertise and support, enabling our pupils to achieve and aspire to the full potential.