Reading Blue Coat is celebrating another set of stellar A Level results, with 91% of pupils heading off to their chosen universities in September. Pupils achieved a 100% pass rate (A*-E) with 70% of all grades awarded at A*-A, which is testament to the hard work of both students and teachers throughout their two year A Level studies.

Mr Thomas said, “The step up from GCSE studies to A Level is significant for any group of Sixth Form students, but especially so for this cohort, who have had so much disruption during their Sixth Form journey. We are delighted, therefore, that our pupils have done so well, even compared to an uninterrupted year! Our congratulations to our students, to our excellent staff and to our parents who have been an even more integral part of this A Level journey!”

89% of all grades awarded were between A* and B, and we are delighted for the successes of our individual pupils who have worked with dynamism, enthusiasm and a large dose of resilience to secure such impressive results at such an unprecedented time.

Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Tidbury, said, “I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of our pupils and staff throughout the challenging past two years. The hard work and dedication has allowed them to rightly achieve the results they deserve.”

Deputy Heads of School Ted Aplin and Lucy Dawson were among those who achieved a fantastic set of grades. Lucy received A*, A*, A in Biology, Psychology and PE, and said, “I’m completely shocked! I am so happy and completely didn’t expect this. From September, I will be studying Adult Mental Health Nursing at the University of Birmingham, so I’m really excited for that. Some of the highlights of my time at Blue Coat are the plays that we’ve put on, and inter-school sports like Netball and Hockey with Mrs Dance.”

Ted Aplin, who worked hard for four A*s in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Mathematics, said, “I’m relieved more than anything. Finding motivation in lockdown was difficult, so to come back to School to study alongside my classmates was a highlight of the year. In September, I’ll be going off to Oxford to study Biology, so I’m sure I’ll need to work hard from the get-go! I’ve already been sent some pre-reading, so I can’t take my foot off the accelerator just yet.”

Mr Morton, Head of Sixth Form, said, “This fabulous group of students have had to overcome greater challenges than any other Sixth Form cohort in the history of the School, and fully deserve their excellent results. They leave us for a range of exciting courses and futures, well armed with the resilience, patience and maturity that they have developed in the last 18 months.”

Another high-flier was Marius Martin, who also achieved four A* grades, and said, ‘I feel really good about my results. I found it challenging to sit more exams than we necessarily would have done. I’m looking forward to celebrating with my friends tonight before heading off to Warwick University in September to study Economics.’

Maddy Sharratt, who studied AS Film Studies and A Level Drama, Latin and English said, ‘I’m feeling really good about my results! My friends and I were reluctant to organise any sort of celebration as we didn’t want to jinx anything, but we’re going to head into Reading and later I will get a Chinese with my family – it’s our little tradition when we’re celebrating.’

Senior Prefect and talented Saxophonist Ed Bindoff also worked hard to earn four A*s. ‘I’ve really enjoyed the Rowing and the Music events in the time I’ve been at Blue Coat. I’m now very excited to head off to Warwick University to study Physics, but not before racing at Henley this week!’ Ed will be competing in the School’s 1^st VIII race at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta on Wednesday. His mother, Mrs Tara Bindoff, said, ‘the reason Ed has done so well is because he’s been so happy at Blue Coat.’