“I am absolutely delighted for our talented Class of 2024 students who have not only contributed so much to the life of the School but have also achieved an outstanding set of A Level results. 37% of all grades were the gold standard A*; in total, 341 A* and A grades were secured by our hard-working cohort. 84 students achieved a clean sweep of grades at A or A*, 30 of those achieved 3 or more A* grades: these are richly deserved and just reward for all their efforts.
It was the individual stories of the day, however, which brought me equal pleasure: students for whom there have been personal challenges during their Sixth Form experience who have displayed such resilience and determination to achieve results of which they should be rightly proud; or students who have exceeded their own personal goals, even if they do not grab the headlines in the same way. For each student, fulfilling their own potential in a supportive environment remains our absolute focus, irrespective of the final grade.
As I reflect on this year group, I could not be more impressed by the way our Class of 2024 have conducted themselves. Sitting high-stakes A Level examinations with the added pressure of securing challenging university offers is demanding in itself; to have secured such stellar grades is, however, just one part of our Sixth Form experience. This year group has embraced the culture of opportunity, aspiration and ambition. They have developed themselves personally as leaders and team players, with a focus on collaboration, humility and integrity; they have nurtured their passion and thirst for learning outside the classroom; they have performed admirably in the co-curricular spheres; most importantly, however, they have consistently conducted themselves with pride and determination, energy and enthusiasm, and a sense of infectious humour. This is to their great credit and will stand them in good stead in the future. It is these aspects, as much as the excellent results themselves, which characterise an RGS education in the Sixth Form.
In terms of university entrance, of those preparing to study at UK universities, the students, almost without exception, secured offers on the most competitive courses at the leading institutions in the country, predominantly at their first-choice institution. This is all the more impressive as 97% of places already confirmed are to Russell Group or one of The Times Top 20 ranked universities with Bath, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Oxford and UCL continuing to be the most popular destinations for our students. The Class of 2024 can now harbour the most ambitious aspirations and I look forward to following their progress with interest and excitement.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the phenomenal professionalism, inspiration and dedication of all the RGS staff who have done so much to prepare, support and reassure this particular year group. I am immensely proud of the spirit and sense of community at the RGS which allows our students to continue to excel and flourish.”