Rossall increases the proportion of A* to B grades at A Level by a staggering 40% and achieves the strongest results in a generation

Our Year 13 students have much to celebrate today following the release of both their A Level results and Rossall Diploma results. The percentage of A* grades has tripled whilst the percentage of A grades has almost doubled. A third of all grades awarded were A*/A. This is an incredible achievement; especially given the reliance upon historical data. 

When our Headmaster Jeremy Quartermain arrived at Rossall just two years ago, he vowed to ensure a dynamic culture of inspiring teaching and outstanding learning. He committed Rossall to becoming the natural school of choice in the North West for all aspirant young people looking to achieve their potential. 

He stated: “These fantastic results reflect tremendously well upon our Year 13 students. During the most challenging of times, they have demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and we are very proud of the young people they have become. 

“The vibrant intellectual culture that our Director of Sixth Form, Stephen Prest promotes, has resonated extremely well with this cohort of students, who have been conscientious and set themselves the highest of aspirations. As a result, the grades awarded at A Level and within the Rossall Diploma serve to place Rossall well up the league table of UK independent schools in terms of academic performance. Notwithstanding this, my heart goes out to a small number of our brilliant and hardworking students who have been treated incredibly unfairly by a faceless algorithm that has served to downgrade their results in a logic defying act of callous arbitrariness.  

This well-deserved upsurge in results has exceeded all expectations and is attributable, in part, to a fantastic body of teachers who have supported and encouraged Rossall Sixth Formers with both dedication and consistency.

During lockdown the school delivered 15,000 lessons online and, following the completion of their Rossall Diploma examinations, provided Pre-University induction courses for all Sixth Form students. Consequently, students are leaving Rossall uniquely well-prepared to start the next chapter of their lives having had the opportunity to demonstrate all that they have learned.

Today OFQUAL has generated A Levels which are not based upon a single examination result. Instead, results are based upon an algorithm that blends historical data with teacher-led predictions. Director of Sixth Form, Stephen Prest, comments:  

We, like many ambitious school communities, would much rather that our students had been awarded grades upon the basis of public examinations. Nevertheless, mock examination results, OFQUAL estimated grades and the results achieved by our students in the Rossall School Diploma, individually and collectively serve to highlight the fact that these are the strongest results at Rossall for a generation or more.  I could not be more proud of our Sixth Formers.”

In the absence of public examinations, we exercised our independence by launching our own Diploma Programme to ensure that all students had the opportunity to sit rigorous examinations before progressing to university in the Autumn. 

Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning), Dina Porovic commented: “The Rossall Diploma examinations were administered and invigilated remotely, providing our students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and prepare for the challenges of post-sixth form study. 

“The exams were written to reflect and replicate the rigorous nature of A Level examinations and, as such, performance in these is comparable to what our students would most likely have achieved had they been permitted to sit their exams. The results were shared with universities and completed papers have been made available on request.”

We are delighted to announce that, having engaged with the process so conscientiously, the students achieved superb results in their Diploma examinations. 54 percent gained grades A* – A, with 78 percent A*- B and a 100 percent pass rate across all subjects.

This cohort of students has secured university places at some of the most prestigious institutions in the UK and Overseas. We now anticipate that over 50% percent of our students will be attending Russell Group or Top 20 universities, whilst a number have been awarded full sports scholarships to top institutions in the USA. 

Students are progressing to Oxford University, St Andrews University, Imperial College London, University College London, the Institute of Paris, University of London, Manchester University,  Edinburgh University, Durham University and Warwick University; pursuing subjects as diverse as Medicine, Classics, Politics, Economics, History, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Music and Pharmacy.  

Deputy School Captain, Josh Fallows will be reading Earth Sciences at Exeter College, University of Oxford after gaining four A*s.

Josh Fallows

Josh, who earned top grades in Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Further Mathematics said he was very relieved now he had received his results, adding: “Coming to Rossall has been a really valuable experience and I am extremely glad I took the opportunity to become part of this wonderful community.”

Fellow student, Daisy Newsham also achieved all A* in English, Psychology and Physical Education and will be studying Psychology at the University of St Andrews.

Charlie Ardron and Daisy Newsham

Daisy and her cousin Charlie Ardron, who also received top grades in Economics, Physics and Mathematics today, have attended Rossall since Year 7. Daisy wishes to thank her teachers: “My teachers have been amazing from start to finish, constantly pushing me to reach my potential.”  

Daisy will be joined by Kate Jenkinson at the University of St Andrews. Kate joined Rossall in 2018 from St. Aidans and will be studying Social Anthropology after achieving A* in Philosophy, A in History and A in English.

Jack Dennehy and Emily Morley also joined Rossall from St. Aidan’s. Jack was awarded A* in German, A in Physics and B in Mathematics, and Emily gained two A* in English and Geography and an A in History.

Jack Dennehy, Emily Morley and Kate Jenkinson

Emily plans to study History at the University of St Andrews and was delighted to have been awarded the Wardlaw Scholarship. 

Emily said: “I would love to perhaps be a curator in a Museum after completing my degree.”

Attending Rossall has been really fun, I loved learning the Rossall traditions and my teachers have been really supportive.”

The three girls, Daisy, Kate and Emily who are all taking up offers at the University of St Andrews cumulatively gained an amazing nine A*s and As.

Daisy Newsham, Kate Jenkinson and Emily Morley

Grace Gordon, who has attended Rossall since she was 2 years old, achieved A* in Music, B in Mathematics and B in Chemistry. She has accepted a place at Durham University to study Music. 

Grace Gordon

Grace reflected on her 16 years at Rossall: “I have made lifelong friends, been given amazing opportunities, and I am proud to call myself a Rossallian.”

Rossall has also inspired the future career of Kate Parkinson, who plans to study Mechanical Engineering after earning ABBB in Design Technology Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Kate Parkinson

Abigail Eaves who joined Rossall Sixth Form from Hodgson, will be studying Design at Lancaster University after earning A* in Graphics, A in Art and A in Design Technology.

Abigail Eaves

Abigail plans to celebrate with her family this evening and said: “I have received extra help from teachers and tutors throughout my two years at Rossall. To have that support in and out of school has been incredible.”

The Headmaster, Jeremy Quartermain added: 

“The  results that our students are now achieving are  indicative of the extraordinary progress that we have made over the last two years. We thank all of our teachers and wish this utterly brilliant year group all the best for the future.”