Students at Seaford College are celebrating achieving an 11% increase in top grades A*-B, this has led to an increase in those securing their first choice university places.
Seaford has successfully bucked the National trend which has seen A*-B grades fall by 0.5%. Headmaster, John Green, who took up the post last September, said: “I’m proud of what all our students have achieved and we have a significant number of pupils heading to a Russell Group University. Ian Duff has achieved 3A*s and 2 As and is heading to Durham to read Physics; Dragana Zoric has achieved 2A*s and 2As and will read Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol, Oliver Gatland has achieved an A* and 3As and will read Physics at Exeter and Petra Ukota has achieved an A* and 2As and will read History at the University of Edinburgh. We wish them every success as they continue their studies.”
Ian Duff said he was “elated when he opened his results” and he praised the Seaford Maths department saying “a lot of hard work has gone into my results, the Maths departments teaching offers fantastic support which is why I’ve achieved these amazing grades”. Oliver Gatland added: “I’m really happy; you have to put in the hard work yourself but Mr Kettle-well & Mr Rollinson put in a lot of effort to support us.” Steve Kettlewell, Head of Maths, was very proud and said to the boys: “I was really thrilled that you held your own in the last few questions in the Further Maths paper “. Steve went on to explain that “when you are trying to predict A* and A grades it’s always in your mind that questions at the end of the paper are deliberately challenging. The examiners are trying to catch you out and want to see candidates using their intuition to make the correct decision and approach when answering. You can teach the skills, and they are tough techniques to master, but on the day it’s also down to the student to rely on their intuition. Ian Duff achieved 100% in his Maths and 94% in Further Maths which is phenomenal.”
Seaford College prides itself on small class sizes and the individual focus and attention it provides for all students at all levels of ability. We pride ourselves on our Value Added. John Green said: ”at Seaford we have a very strong academic core and via our new Challenge Grade system, children are encouraged to secure academic personal bests – whilst still keeping a smile on their faces!” Maddy Wright is off to study Sport & Physical Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University having exceeded their entry requirements. Maddy has benefitted from the Challenge Grade system and said: “I’d never have thought I could achieve so many UCAS points but when my tutor started discussing targets with me, that’s when the Challenge Grades system inspired me.” Breege Jinks, Deputy Head Academic, said “Maddy has shown real tenacity to succeed. Like many of our students, when appropriate interventions are expertly employed, students are able to develop skills and expertise that enable them to achieve continued success”.
The A*-C pass rate close to 75% stayed the same for the 6th year in a row despite the undoubted increased academic rigor by examination boards. John Green said: “this is the first year that students have been unable to benefit from taking modules in January meaning they take all of their exams at the end of the year. As a proud non-selective school our results indicate that our academic core is strengthening year on year enabling pupils to gain their academic personal bests.
John added: “at Seaford we look after our students and inspire personal ambition and success so that personal bests are achieved inside and outside the classroom. This is why I love Seaford - because our flight path is unique.” Many of Seaford’s students achieve high academic results and excel in extra-curricular activities. Jamie Wilcock, captain of rugby, has achieved outstanding academic results since joining from Chichester High School 2 years ago gaining 2 As and a B. He has also been selected as a reserve to train for The England Club and School U18 team. He plans to read Exercise and Sports Science at Exeter. Maddy Wright also excelled in hockey as well as achieving an excellent amount of UCAS points. Will Norton having also gained very similar strong results, will embark on a gap year teaching role at the local Prep School, Westbourne House. Seaford’s Hockey captain, Henrick Geyer has led Seaford’s hockey team to be ranked third nationally this year whilst studying for his A levels. Despite English being his second language he has achieved an A and 2Bs and is heading to a top university in Germany.
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