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15 August 2018

Birkenhead School is celebrating after the A-Level results confirm them as one of the leading schools within the North West. Over 77% of grades were awarded A*-B, with over a quarter of students achieving A* or A grades in all their subjects. Almost half of all grades awarded were A or above.

The School’s results were led by Shikhar Kumar, joint Head of School who achieved 4A*s, in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. A further thirteen students, amongst them Matthew O’Hare and Edward Azurdia, who will now pursue their medical training, achieved A*s or A’s in all their subjects. Others to achieve this level of academic success include Katherine Rutherford, Ed Brodbelt, the technical lead on so many school productions who leaves to study Electrical Engineering, Alex Poulson, David Grundy, Theo Grundy, William Hindle and William Reay.
 
In all, 14% of all grades achieved were awarded the highest possible A*. Tom Parkes and Sebastian Wilkes achieved 3A*s apiece and now move on to study Mathematics and Mathematics and Physics respectively. Matthew Oulton, one of the School’s leading musicians and actors, achieved two A*s and leaves to enjoy a Gap Year undertaking financial projects in the UK and overseas. Dan Walker, who was part of the School team recently awarded the Big Bang North-West Young Scientists of the Year prize, also gained two A*s and will now take up his place at Bath to study Economics. Jack Pritchard, 1st XV rugby captain, secured an A* in Physical Education and he will now pursue a Physiotherapy course at Liverpool.
 
Charlotte Cullen, joint Head of School, was one of five girls alongside Jessica Devitt, Phoebe James, Georgia Varey and Bethany Taylor whose AAB grades will see them study at Russell Group universities across the UK. In all, 76% of students will now enter their 1st choice of university.
 
Headmaster Paul Vicars states: ‘It is right that we celebrate the academic achievements of our students with the headline statistics above highlighting the dedication and inspiration provided by our teaching and support staff. However, we are always wary of any statistics or headlines that suggest academic scores alone measure the success of a school or the achievement or happiness of individuals within the community. Behind every grade achieved, whatever it is, are stories of challenges overcome, of experiences stored in the memory bank. At Birkenhead School we continue to place equal measure on students’ enjoyment of, and achievements across a variety of activities including sport, music, theatre and plenty of others besides. In short, we take pride in preparing our students for life beyond school, and the resilience and breadth of experiences learnt through wider interests are some of the core skills that grades cannot measure. This cohort, with their wide skill set and lifelong friendships, now become part of a great network of Birkonian alumni which will serve them well in their future lives.  They leave as preparations continue apace for the new academic year, with summer work including a new artificial training surface, floodlighting of the netball courts and refurbishment of the kitchens, dining room and Sixth Form cafĂ© all awaiting the rest of the School community’s return early next month.'

A gallery of images can be viewed by scrolling on the image above or via the Birkenhead School Facebook page.