Results Day at QMC is always one of the highlights of the year, providing students with the opportunity to celebrate their successes before starting on new and exciting ventures. This year the occasion is particularly special, given the extraordinary circumstances that the young people have endured whilst studying during the pandemic.
The students receiving their results today were halfway through the first year of their two- year courses when the first lockdown occurred in March 2020. “At the time we assumed that the college closure would be for a few weeks” admitted Ali Foss, Principal. The reality was very different, with virtually no classroom teaching for the rest of that academic year. In response to the situation Queen Mary’s College teachers switched to virtual teaching as soon as the lockdown began. “Our priority was keeping students in their classes and connected to each other and their teachers,” Ali Foss explained, “and the amazing results that have been achieved today reflect the exceptional efforts of the staff, our students, and the parents that supported so much on-line learning”.
In spite of the turbulence caused by lockdowns and many periods of self-isolation for many students, attendance in lessons remained as high as in any usual year, and examination results are also of same standards that QMC has consistently produced over the past 5 years, with an A-level pass rate of 99% and over 85% achieving A-C grades. BTEC results are also outstanding.
As in previous years, Queen Mary’s students have been particularly successful in gaining prestigious places to study medicine.
Former Hurst pupil Asha Raja has a place at Southampton to study Medicine, having achieved impressive A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. With exactly the same grade profile Mihaela Ghiurluc from the Vyne School has secured her medical school place at King’s College, London and ex- Challoner pupil Aimee Podevin is off to Cambridge University to study Veterinary Medicine. Perhaps due to their experiences this year many students have also decided to pursue nursing careers, including ex Everest pupil Mazz Cisse, who has a secured a place at Birmingham University.
Nursing degree places were also a popular choice for BTEC Health & Social Care students, while Farron London and Lizzie Slater have won prestigious Occupational Therapy course places with their triple Distinction* grades. Others, such as Sophie Druce and Bryony Green (ex Willink) also achieved D*D*D* and have chosen teaching careers pathways.
Maths and Science results continue to be strong this year, and exceptional grades were achieved by many students, including Ellie Baird and Mohammed Ali – both secured 4 A* grades, and as a consequence Ellie will be studying Biochemistry at Oxford in the Autumn whilst Mohammed will be starting his Natural Sciences at Cambridge University.
QMC’s strong reputation for Music and the Performing Arts were also reflected in student performance in these areas, with ex- Perins pupil Amy Levett securing a place to read Music at Oxford University, and Joseph Sartin (ex-Rookwood) gaining a place at Southampton. Between them the pair achieved 8 A-levels, which included 6A* grades. Other students with similar talents include former Testbourne student Jacob Walker who will be studying Music Composition for Film & Television at Marjon University, and Alex Williams from Cranbourne School has a place on the Professional Dance & Musical Theatre course at Birmingham University. Both achieved the maximum triple Distinction* grades on their BTEC courses.
In other subject areas students also performed well. Ex Costello pupil Yulia Zasorenko achieved A* grades in Business, Economics, Law, Politics and her EPQ and will be studying Business & Economics at Exeter University.
Yulia commented “I found the atmosphere played a massive role in my development at QMC. My teachers made me feel set-up to thrive and gave me the confidence to believe in myself and my abilities”.
Phoebe Purver also praised the support that she had received from the College “I think QMC really helped me during lockdown because they were really supportive in providing so much material for all of us and my online lessons were well put together, and I always found myself enjoying my lessons. I have been blown away by the constant support and reassurance I had from my teachers during such challenging times” Phoebe is going to Sussex University to study Anthropology and International Development, having achieved Geography A, Psychology C, English Literature B and an EPQ on Anthropology A.
Rebecca Hamer (ex-Cranbourne) and Emma Ilsley (Brighton Hill both secured A*A*A A to win places to study Law. Politics students are also celebrating great results, with Ren Culver achieving 3 A* grades enabling her to study Ancient History & Politics at Glasgow, whilst ex Calthorpe Park pupil James Manville gained A*A*A A and will be off to Sheffield University to study Politics with Modern Languages and Culture.
Ali Foss commented “I am thrilled to be celebrating with these students today. They have shown a level of maturity and determination that will stand them in good stead in what will, I am sure, be very happy and successful futures, and I wish them every success.
