From left, Ben Rashid, Chloe Dawson and Jack Palmer.
IT may not be the biggest sixth form in the city but the smiles at The Bemrose School definitely were – with results that beat pre-pandemic marks.
With a 98.4% pass rate on A-Level courses and a 100% pass rate on vocational courses students at the school in Uttoxeter New Road had plenty to celebrate.
One of the biggest smiles was on the face of 17-year-old Chloe Dawson who also worked as a cleaner at the school during her two years in its sixth form.
She picked up a C in English and a distinction merit in forensic science, which means she can continue studying the subject at the University of Derby.
Chloe said: “I would start my cleaning job at 3pm every day when sixth form finished, and my shift ended at 6pm – so I could go home and start studying.
“I also worked at Jury’s Inn too, so it’s been a busy two years, but it has been worth it to get these results. I really want to continue studying forensic science and I am so, so happy to have got the marks I needed to secure my place.”
Another student who collected their results in person was 19-year-old Ben Rashid who was thrilled with a distinction for science, an A in English and a B in sociology.
Ben, who has secured a place at Leicester University to study ancient history, joined the school’s sixth form after a year at college and says it was the best decision he ever made.
“College just wasn’t the right place for me as I had too much freedom and needed a nurturing environment, so I repeated my first year at Bemrose,” he said.
“It was the best move I ever made because I am really happy with these marks, and I wasn’t self-motivated enough to deal with college. I can’t wait to start my new life at university – this is a great day for me.”
Nineteen-year-old Jack Palmer picked up a B in English, a B in sociology and a merit in business studies. He joined the sixth form after taking his GCSEs at Lady Manners School, in Bakewell.
He said: “I have a place at university to study English Literature, but I am working as a chef at TGI Fridays at the moment, so have decided to defer my place for 12 months so I can keep working.
“I have really enjoyed my two years at Bemrose and couldn’t be happier with my results. It’s definitely a good day.”
Andy Scott, head of secondary at the school, said: “We have plenty to celebrate this year with a really great set of results, which are an improvement on 2018, 2019 and 2021.
“It’s particularly pleasing to note that the average mark for pupil premium pupils and non-pupil premium is exactly the same – a grade C – which means that no matter what an individual’s personal circumstances are they will still receive a great education in our sixth form.
“We’ve had some wonderful results in modern languages and vocational courses too this year and it’s a testament to the staff and pupils for working so hard over what has been a challenging time for education.
“This year’s students didn’t sit GCSE exams because of the pandemic and they missed the vast majority of year 12 too so they had to speed up – not catch up – their learning.
“We wish all our students the very best for their future and congratulate them for demonstrating tenacity and positivity over the last two years.”
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