This year:
- 40% of grades were A* (2019: 36%, 2023: 43%)
- 80% of grades were A*/A (2019: 77%, 2023: 78%)
- 95% of grades were A* – B (2019: 95%, 2023: 95%).
Of the Upper Sixth cohort of 100 pupils, 11 achieved straight A*s.
Reflecting the breadth of pupils’ intellectual curiosity, a quarter of the cohort took four or more A Levels and a third took the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification, an independent research project which extends and develops pupils’ abilities beyond the traditional A Level syllabus.
In addition to the long-standing academic achievements of its pupils, which put the school among the best nationally, KEHS is also renowned for its flourishing co-curricular programme, an aspect of school life which was designated a “significant strength” in its latest inspection report.
Among those celebrating today are:
Netball Super League Severn Stars player Lily, who achieved straight A*s in Biology, Psychology and Spanish and will be embarking on a Physiotherapy degree at the University of Nottingham. Lily joined KEHS in Year 12 on a Sport Scholarship and has balanced elite training, gym sessions and matches with her studies. “Today feels incredible,” she said. “The school was so supportive if I needed time off for netball. I am just so happy.”
England golfer Isabelle, who will be heading to the University of St Andrews to study Maths and Physics, having achieved A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Biology. Isabelle, who was a KEHS Sport Scholar, is part of the R&A Student Tour Series and will be one of her university’s golf scholars, with a match in Sweden scheduled for early September. She is also no stranger to balancing sport with study. “When I had matches during the holidays, I would finish on the course and then get into my Maths textbook,” she recalled. “I am excited and happy to be going to St Andrews. I will be able to play on the Old Course as much as I want!”
Zeena, who is celebrating A*s in Economics, Maths, Further Maths and History and will study History and Economics at the University of Oxford. Zeena was a stalwart of the co-curricular side of school life, including in music, drama and sport. “This school allows you the space for whatever you want to do, to grow and develop so many different skills. I recommend going to as many clubs as possible! The co-curricular activities also enabled me to develop academically. I am just so excited about university and the opportunity to learn new things.”
As a passionate performer in drama and music, having played Helena in the most recent Senior Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shreya, who will soon be studying Medicine at UCL after achieving 4 A*s. She said: “The last two years have been a lot of hard work, but my teachers have been incredibly supportive, especially Mrs Whitehead who helped me with the UCAS process. I’m both excited and nervous about moving to London – there’s always going to be something to do in the city.”
With a passion for both sciences and helping people, Rachel, who will study Medicine at Imperial College London after achieving 4 A*s and an A. She said: “The school has really pushed me to become a well-rounded person, setting me up to be a change-maker in the world. I wouldn’t have made it through the last four years of GCSEs and A Levels without my teachers’ support. My subject combination – Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Further Maths, and Maths – has given me a unique perspective. There are too many scientists who don’t know how to communicate their research to a public audience, so it’s important to use communication skills in our scientific work. I’m so excited and over the moon about what’s next.”
Avni, who will be off to study Environment and Sustainable Development at LSE after achieving A, A*, A* in Biology, Economics, and Geography. She said: “I’m excited to study this niche course at LSE. With more jobs emerging in the sustainable industry, I’m looking forward to making a difference. My time here, including participating in Model United Nations conferences and helping with football coaching, has been invaluable. My teachers have had a big influence on me, encouraging and supporting me over the past seven years. I’ll really miss them and my friends.”
Prisha, whose involvement in debating at KEHS ignited her passion for Economics, and will study the subject at the University of Cambridge after achieving 3A*s and an A. She said: “Debating has shaped who I am today – it has encouraged me to view issues from various perspectives and helped me find my passion for economics. The school has been incredibly supportive, helping me to believe in myself and reach my full potential. I am so excited for the journey ahead and going to Cambridge has been something I’ve really wanted.”
Among the other KEHS Sport Scholars, England squash player Meha has taken up a squash scholarship at Yale University.
The other subjects and destinations that await the KEHS Class of 2024 include: Physics at Oxford; Maths and Physics at Durham; Spanish and History at Cambridge; Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial; plus Law, Veterinary Science, Computer Science, English and Dentistry, among many others.
Kirsty von Malaisé, KEHS Principal, said: “It is with much pride that we celebrate another exceptional set of A Level results with our pupils and their families, results which once again testify to the genuine joy of learning with which our pupils approach their studies, and also how they find fulfilment in balancing their academic and co-curricular endeavours. The support that staff offer to our pupils to pursue their ambitions and the independence of mind that they instil are second to none, and I offer my thanks to all those who have enabled this year’s successes.
“We are particularly thrilled with the outstanding results across several subjects. Art has achieved 100% A*/A grades, a notable accomplishment for the first A Level cohort to benefit from our £3m Design Centre. Modern Foreign Languages have also excelled, with French, German, and Spanish achieving a combined 63% A*s. Economics and Psychology also achieved impressive results (52% A*s and 67% A*s respectively). These achievements demonstrate our continued excellence across our broad academic curriculum.
“Our pupils are set to embark on an array of impressive Higher Education courses at an equally impressive range of destinations, and I wish them every success in this new phase of their lives.”
You can see the 2024 KEHS A Level results here.
Note: the figures in this press release were updated on 2 September 2024 to reflect some changes in the scores achieved.
