Bedales students progress to prestigious universities

Students at Bedales are celebrating after securing places at some of the most prestigious educational institutions following the publication of A Level results.

This year’s high achievers include Harry Snell†, who gained four A*s in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, plus a further A* in his Extended Project, and will now go on to study Electronic Engineering at the University of Southampton; Maisy Redmayne†◊, who achieved three A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, and an A* in her Extended Project, and will now go on to study Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool; and Alice Perry†, whose two A*s and a further two As have earned her a place at the University of St Andrew’s to read Classics. Harry, Maisy and Alice were pupils of Bedales Prep, Dunhurst (marked with †) prior to Bedales Senior school. Maisy achieved this success whilst also completing the demanding Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award during her final year at school (all those completing the award are marked with ◊), and as a music scholar, achieved Grade 8 singing and Grade 7 violin. As a sports scholar, Alice is spending her summer competing in a series of sailing regattas.

Also taking four A Levels this year was Dan Peppe, who gained two A*s, an A and a B in Maths, Physics, Further Maths and Economics, and a further A* in his Extended Project, is set to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol in September. Angus Milton† achieved high grades with an A* in Mathematics, two A grades in Chemistry and Physics, a B in Further Mathematics, and an A* in his Extended Project. Gus Bartlett’s◊ offer to study Product Design at the University of Edinburgh was confirmed after he gained two A grades in Product Design and Biology. Dan and Gus completed the gruelling 180 km GR20 trail in Corsica earlier this summer in aid of the Hepatitis C Trust and were joined by Angus for part of the trail.

Other high achievers include Orla Flint† gained two A*s and an A in Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics and has secured a place at the University of Bristol to study Mathematics and Philosophy; Tiger Clothier†, who achieved two A*s and an A in French, Spanish and Mathematics, and will now read Law at the University of Bristol; Sophie Turner, who also achieved two A* grades and an A in Art & Design, English Literature, History, and an A* in her Extended Project, has  a place at the University of Edinburgh to read English Literature; Jack Cecil† gained an A* and two A grades in Biology, Product Design and Mathematics; Elina Dibtseva, whose A* and two A grades in Psychology, Dance and German, as well as a D1 in Pre-U Russian and an A in her Extended Project, have secured her a place at the University of Edinburgh to read German and Politics; and Fleur Fincham, who obtained an A* in Design & Textiles and two As in English Literature and History.

Katy Sercombe achieved two A* grades and a B in Art & Design, Business and Politics, plus an A in her Extended Project, securing her place to study Marketing at the University of Bristol; Michael McGuirk gained straight As in English Literature, History and Politics and will read English Literature at UCL; Flora Smeeton achieved three A grades in Art & Design, English Literature and Religious Studies, and will go on to study Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh; and Aggie Levingston achieved two A grades in Art & Design and Psychology and B in English Literature.

Other students with places at institutions in the top 100 of the QS 2019 World University Rankings include Ellie Davy◊, who will study Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, and Savanna Rollason, who will read Philosophy and Politics at the University of Leeds.

Meanwhile, after raising over £10,000 for the John Badley Foundation by cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in July with a fellow Bedales student, Cian Watson◊ also achieved a strong set of grades, with an A in Mathematics and two Bs in Product Design and Physics, and is set to study Product Design and Manufacture at the University of Nottingham.

Bedales’ strong reputation in music and the performing arts continues this year as Darcy Bartlett is set to study Contemporary Dance at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music after achieving an A* in Dance. Joining her is Ellie Leonard-Biebuyck, whose M1 in Music Pre-U, has earned her a place on their Voice course, and Mila Fernandez, who secured an A in Dance and will study Contemporary Dance. Other Bedales students will study Songwriting at Leeds College of Music and Music at the University of York.

A number of Bedales students have opted to continue their art and design education. Outgoing Head Boy Rufus Seagrim† who achieved an A* in Art & Design and an A in Design & Textiles will now go on to study the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Central Saint Martins. Joining him is Vivienne Cohen, who secured an A* in Art & Design.

Taking up a place on the Foundation Diploma at Camberwell is Thomas Southard, and Cosima Ross. Robyn Bamford will study at Manchester Metropolitan University; Bella Evershed is set to take up a place at UCA Epsom and outgoing Head Girl Lettie Verdon-Roe will join Oxford Brookes University.

This September sees recent leavers offered places at some of the most demanding academic institutions following gap years, including Nancy Powell (Theology, Religion and Culture at Oriel College, Oxford), Saul Barrett (English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge), Scarlett Croft (English at Homerton College, Cambridge), Ed Adams (Medicine at Queen Mary, University of London) and Molly Graham (Medicine at the University of Manchester).

Magnus Bashaarat, Head of Bedales, said: “Congratulations to our students for securing places at such a wide range of demanding academic institutions across the sciences, humanities and arts. I am confident their Bedales education will have equipped our students with the right skills and knowledge for their next stage of learning and growth and I wish them all continued success.”

† Indicates student attended Bedales Prep, Dunhurst prior to Bedales.

◊ Indicates student completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award this year.

Note results are provisional and subject to review.