Bedales leads the way

Bedales leads the way

27/08/2009

Bedales students have been celebrating their GCSE results with 17 of them gaining a clean sweep of A/A*s. Their results are made up of a combination of GCSEs, and the more challenging IGCSE and Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs).

Headmaster Keith Budge explains:

“Congratulations to our students who have achieved an impressive set of results – over half of grades at A or A* - in a broad range of subjects and demanding qualifications.  We are one of the few schools to have responded to the limitations of GCSEs by creating our own Bedales Assessed Courses.”

“Having introduced BACs in 2006, we are starting to see many of our students come through better prepared for A level, and with an increased hunger to learn. I am constantly impressed by their passion for their work and their willingness to question and think independently.”

The pupils gaining straight A/A*s are:

• Aida  Alonzo
• Celestia  Anstruther
• Josie Bentley
• Serena Brett
• Leonie Bryant
• Mary Clapp
• Ben Dale
• Olivia de Courcy
• Katrina Duncan
• Adam Holden
• Hannah Keenan
• Philip Kelly
• James Lanaghan
• Georgia Reynolds
• Alice Ryrie
• Omer Sami
• Brooke Theis

Case study: Omer Sami

Omer (aged 16) achieved an impressive 3A*s and 6As - including Bedales Assessed Courses in Art and Design – whilst at the same time developing his passion for sailing. Having enjoyed sailing since he was 10, Omer was keen to try an Atlantic crossing. In his final GCSE-year, he competed in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the largest trans-ocean sailing event in the world. In November last year Omer, together with his mother, eight friends and 270 other yachts, set sail from the Canaries for their 21-day voyage to St Lucia. He has since successfully competed in the ‘Round the Island’ race in July gaining a top 100 place out of 1600 boats.

Omer added: ”I am very grateful to Keith Budge and the school for recognising the ARC as a fantastic educational experience and for giving me the opportunity to compete.”

To keep up-to-date with his work, Omer did some reading on the Atlantic crossing, and spent Christmas catching up and preparing for mock exams.

Keith Budge, Headmaster added: “Omer is an extremely capable student and an excellent example in how to balance competing demands. Such passion and commitment are really admirable.”

Additional notes:

1. As Bedales students can choose between GCSE, IGCSE and Bedales Assessed Courses, data comparison becomes complex. Below is an overview:

GCSE (includes IGCSE)

%A*/A: 52.5     
% A*-C: 94.7     

Bedales Assessed Courses
% A*/A: 56.9
%A*-C: 97.5

Combined weighted average incorporating GCSE, IGCSE, BAC
% A*/A: 53.6
%A*-C: 95.4 

2. Number of students getting 5 or more grades at C or above (in GCSE, IGCSE, BAC): 89 out of 91, ie. 97.8%

3. Bedales is the first school to be recognised by UCAS as offering its own GCSE-replacement qualification.

Back to Latest News

© Bedales Schools   site by Wickedweb