Best ever Bedales GCSE performance at top grade

Aug. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- Bedales celebrated impressive exam results on GCSE results day with over half the grades awarded at A* or A. Unlike any other school, Bedales students tailor their studies by choosing a combination of GCSEs, the more challenging IGCSEs, and the school’s unique GCSE alternative, Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs). All three qualifications use the same A*-G grading system. Focussing solely on the GCSE and IGCSE element, this year’s cohort achieved 25% A* grades, higher than any of their predecessors since the current curriculum was started in 2008.

The content of BACs is broad and stimulating offering cross curricular opportunities that are suited to a wide variety of learning styles. Internal assessment includes a mixture of written assignments, presentations, projects and performances, together with terminal examinations as appropriate. Bedales is the first school to be recognised by UCAS as offering its own GCSE-replacement qualification.

Five Bedales students achieved a minimum of nine straight A* grades, with 17 others achieving a minimum of nine grade A*/As.

Robin Allez (from Petersfield) achieved 11 A* grades in English, German, Latin, Greek, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Theatre Arts (BAC), English Literature (BAC) and Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (BAC).

Josh Grubb (from Petersfield) achieved 10 A* grades including three Bedales Assessed Courses in Design, Theatre Arts and Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. His GCSE subjects were English, German, Latin, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Georgica Deane (from Rowlands Castle) achieved 10 A* grades. In between academic studies this year, Georgica starred in a new video featuring an original song she wrote and performed with support from fellow students, and which Georgica debuted at the Bedales Rock Show 2012 (see  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d8nt1HWolM&list=UUR00WVll...).



Rufus Rock (from Petersfield) studied 11 subjects, achieving nine A* grades in English, French, Spanish, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art (BAC); and English Literature (BAC). He also received two A grades in History and Theatre Arts (BAC).

Olivia Brett (from Rogate) achieved nine A*s and one grade A. Earlier in the year, Olivia was selected for a prestigious Sixth Form Leadership Award by national educational trust the Rank Foundation, which aims to ‘nurture leaders for the benefit of society’, in recognition of her outstanding leadership potential.

Commenting on the students’ achievements, Keith Budge, Headmaster, Bedales Schools said:

“Congratulations to our students on their excellent results. Since replacing some GCSEs with our own Bedales Assessed Courses we have seen a significant increase in performance in the Sixth Form and more success with offers from prestigious universities. The combination of IGCSE, GCSE and Bedales Assessed Courses is therefore not only more imaginative and fulfilling, but also offers a more academically stretching curriculum.”

Other Bedales successes include:
Elliot Robson from Haslemere achieved eight A*s and three As.
Claudia Anholt from Scratby, Norfolk, achieved eight A*s and two As.
Angus Carey-Douglas from London achieved seven A*s and four As.
Fionn Kennedy from Petersfield achieved seven A*s, three As and one B.
Natalya Minney from London achieved seven A*s, two As and one B.
Adam Osborne from Petersfield achieved seven A*s, two As and one B.
Jenna Sajous from the Isle of Wight achieved six A*s and four As.
Zoe Kremer  from London achieved six A*s and three As.
Celeste MacIlwaine from Petersfield achieved five A*s and five As.
Georgina Ullmann from Petersfield achieved five A*s, four As and one B.
Matilda Little from Hawkley achieved four A*s, five As and one B.
Imogen Welch from Steep achieved four A*s and five As.
Rory Gower from Donnington, West Sussex achieved four A*s, six As and one B.
Frederick O’Donald from Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire, achieved three A*s and six As.
Vincent Zulawski from France achieved two A*s and eight As.
Lizzie Reynolds from Petersfield achieved two A*s and seven As.
Cameron Macdonald from Buriton achieved two A*s and seven As.

Bedales Assessed Courses are externally moderated and recognised by UCAS. Bedales’ unique curriculum is built around a group of five compulsory subjects: GCSEs in English, and a Modern Language, plus the international GCSE (IGCSE) Dual or Triple Award in Science and Mathematics. This ensures both that the full range of core skills is covered and also that the minimum requirement for much of higher education is met. Students then choose from other options, which include other GCSEs (e.g. History or a second language) and up to five BACs from a total of 10 courses on offer that include subjects such as Ancient Civilisations and Classical Music.

The overall combined GCSE/IGCSE /BAC pass marks in 2012 were:

A* - A: 53%
A* - C: 95%

As Bedales students study a combination of three different qualifications, the figure quoted is a combined statistic for GCSE, IGCSE and Bedales Assessed Courses. No other school studies this unique combination of qualifications. Data is provisional.