Woodhouse students on top of the world

Successful student Emily has global ambition... 

 

 

Woodhouse College student Emily, from Barnet (pictured with a globe outside the London School of Economics) was brimming with pride today as she got her A level results.

 

“I got 3 A*s in law, politics and biology and I’ll be studying law at LSE in September. I’m really happy with my results and excited to move on to new things but I’m going to miss Woodhouse so much - it’s been the best two years of my life and I’ll remember it forever.”

 

And across the college community there have been hundreds of equally happy students celebrating an incredibly successful set of A level results this year.

 

Woodhouse Principal Sugra Alibhai was notably pleased for the students, not just in terms of the grades they have achieved, but for working so hard in unprecedented conditions.

 

“Once again, students from Woodhouse College are progressing to the very top destinations in the country. Many of them are the first generation in their families to attend university. It’s such a pleasure to see the huge range of courses that our students are about to start, they are empowered to go on to study subjects that they are passionate about.

 

I wish our students all the very best as they start this new chapter. Studying for A levels during the pandemic was incredibly tough and these outcomes are a testament to their hard work, resilience and determination.”

 

And the outcomes themselves are certainly remarkable, even amongst remarkable results nationwide.

 

79% of our students achieved A*- B grades

50 students achieved 3 or more A*s

225 students achieved 3 or more A/A*s (around 30% of the year group)

Overall pass rate - 99.6%

 

You can see a subject-by-subject breakdown of our results by clicking here 

 

21 students will be going to Oxford or Cambridge

27 students will start medicine courses

 

359 students have places with Russell Group universities

 

Woodhouse students accepted multiple places at 23 out of 24 of the Russell Group members (with just Queen’s University Belfast being the exception).

 

Hundreds of other students will be attending equally prestigious universities across the country, some with international placements. And alongside the traditional subjects like sciences, finance, politics and humanities, many students will be studying such diverse subjects as Computer Animation Art and Design, Japanese Studies, Automotive Engineering, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Fashion, Television and Radio Production, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic - to name but a few.

 

And perhaps most interestingly, two students - Amy and Pearl - will be studying Virology and Immunology at Bristol, possibly the most important subject of our time.

 

 

Student Sadaf, from Ponders End, who got 3 A*s today, had a few words to say about his Woodhouse experience…

 

“Above all, what I’ll treasure most is all the friendships I’ve made here. Without their unsparing kindness, support and compassion I wouldn’t have had the courage to apply to Oxford to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics - let alone get in!”

 

 

Sihaam, from Kensal Green, is equally proud of her achievements.

 

“After two usual years of navigating A levels through a pandemic, I can fairly say I've achieved grades I'm proud of, having received three A*s and a B. I'm heading off to LSE to do politics now, but will miss the memories I made over the two years at Woodhouse.”

 

Grace, from New Barnet, came to Woodhouse from Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School to study biology, English lit. and chemistry. She said...

 

"My results day was extremely nerve-racking as I wasn’t sure I would get the grades, but I’m so happy to have achieved AAB and be on my way to Newcastle uni! I’m so grateful to all my teachers and Woodhouse friends."

 

 Khadidja university place is a reflection of her own success...

 

Khadidja earned herself A*A*A and is off to LSE to study History. She told us...

 

“If results day has taught me one thing, it’s to never doubt yourself and what you’re capable of doing. Aside from the hard work I’ve put in during these two years, I must say I do owe it to my Year 13 teachers, who not only helped me navigate my way through my last year at Woodhouse, but who also reminded me every single day of my potential and spoke nothing but words of encouragement to me. I will miss them!”

 

Of course, in a year that will see more high achieving students than ever vying for places at university, some students will have struggled to meet their offers. But the comprehensive student support systems at Woodhouse are still there to help them and our careers team are currently assisting students that are in clearing, supporting them with face-to-face and virtual appointments.

 

The Principal also praised staff at Woodhouse, who have been tasked under the TAG system (Teacher Assessed Grades) with deciding the students’ final grades.

 

“I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their hard work, commitment and professionalism when it came to deriving the TAGs. ­­The Woodhouse team chose a path that gave our students a chance to showcase their best selves - even if it meant it felt like a marathon for all those involved. The process was robust, thoughtful and involved multiple assessments over a number of weeks. Though some in society may downplay students’ achievements, this cohort have had a very challenging two years and today we should acknowledge their success despite these circumstances and find cause for celebration.”