Withington Girls’ School Upper Sixth students have celebrated an outstanding set of A-level public examination results and university application outcomes – three or more A* grades were achieved by 40% of the cohort, 72% attained a clean sweep of A*/As and all eight conditional Oxbridge offers were secured. There were smiles and tears of relief and joy on 18th August as students, staff and parents came together to see the hard work, tenacity and talents of this remarkable cohort rewarded.
“Each student, like their peers across the country, has been on their own unique journey since March 2020; coming to terms with the cancellation of public GCSE examinations in the summer of 2020 and the uncertainty and interruptions to a normal Sixth Form experience during Year 12,” says Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Haslam.
“Today we gathered to celebrate with their parents and their teachers the conclusion to these individual senior school journeys – for some, the road travelled has led to the opening of doors to top universities, to starting on a path to careers as diverse as engineering, law, medicine, acting, music, fashion, computing, game design and production and, for others, simply pausing to reflect on next steps and to savour the moment.”
Mrs Haslam added that this group of students, while applying themselves fully to their academic studies, had not overlooked their broader talents, interests, personal development and social responsibility during their time at Withington:
“They’ve been engaged in so many aspects of school life and our outgoing head girl team – with 10 A* grades between them – have been exemplary leaders and role models for the rest of the school, supported by a number of other Upper Sixth students in school committee and leadership roles.
“Despite the pandemic, the 2022 leavers engaged in a wide array of extracurricular activities throughout Sixth Form, from school and community partnership projects, such as Manchester Sings and Young Chemistry Communicators to ‘virtual’ concerts and recitals, achieving success in sporting and academic competitions and activities, such as Young Enterprise and MUN (Model United Nations). Over 40% of the year group are progressing through or have completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and they have been a group who have engaged brilliantly in all aspects of social responsibility and our community partnership work. Our Class of 2022 are wonderful role models and have made a fantastic contribution. We are very proud indeed of them all.”
Mrs Haslam congratulated those who have secured a place at their chosen university, including 52 students (72% of those who applied) at Russell Group universities, eight of whom will take up places at Oxford and Cambridge along with two 2021 leavers who reapplied and earned firm Oxbridge offers. Courses in medicine or dentistry lie ahead for 14 of our 2022 cohort as well as two 2021 leavers.
Oxbridge courses of study include computer science, history, German and linguistics and Spanish and linguistics at Oxford, and economics, law, music and natural sciences at Cambridge.
In cases where pupils have deferred their university applications or plan to reapply, Withington will continue to offer advice and support.
“Each year, we see leavers go on to achieve firm offers from their preferred university and we are committed to supporting them beyond their time at school in achieving their goals,” said Mrs Haslam. “For today though, this is a day to celebrate our students’ achievements, to thank our superb staff for all of their dedication and our parents for all of their support.”
Open Days for entry to Withington Girls’ School will be held on Thursday 3rd November and Saturday 5th November.
See www.wgs.org for more details on 2023 admissions.
