EPQ Grades Add Extra Weight to School’s Excellent A-level Results – West Buckland School
15 Aug 2019
Sixth Formers from West Buckland School, in North Devon, have achieved an average UCAS score of 144 in their A-level results, equivalent to three As. As well as achieving an excellent 74.4% of grades at A* to B, the students excelled in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), run alongside their A-levels, and equivalent to half an A-level, with 74.5% of grades being A* to B.
Sixth Formers from West Buckland School, in North Devon, have achieved an average UCAS score of 144 in their A-level results, equivalent to three As. As well as achieving an excellent 74.4% of grades at A* to B, the students excelled in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), run alongside their A-levels, and equivalent to half an A-level, with 74.5% of grades being A* to B.
These results see West Buckland maintain their long-held reputation as one of the top performing schools in the South West peninsular and, with the high UCAS score, will see a large number of students take up places in some of the country’s best universities.
While recognising that a student’s performance is not limited to a set of grades, West Buckland’s Headmaster, Phillip Stapleton said:
“We are delighted to share the excellent performances of our leaving Year 13. We are ambitious for our pupils and running the EPQ alongside the new, linear A-levels has extended the students beyond their conventional studies, encouraging independent learning, research, and critical thinking. Not only has this enabled them to enjoy academic breadth, but they have developed powerful learning tools along the way that have enabled them to leave school with great results and fully prepared for the rigours of university.”
Amongst the impressive overall performance there have been some outstanding individual achievements. Tim Peng gained four A*/A grades at A-level and a further A* in his EPQ; Katie Willes and Will Wardle both achieved three A*s, with an additional A* in their EPQ. Katie, who has attended West Buckland since Nursery, will take up her place at the London School of Economics to study International Relations, whilst Will will be going to Durham to read Geography.
Another eight pupils leave clutching a combination of A*/A grades but perhaps the ultimate mark of success, on results day, is in achieving the grades needed to access the right course for them. This is a combination of good personal advice, exciting opportunities, appropriate challenge and excellent teaching. Many of our students have exceeded their personal goals, securing places at their chosen destination.
As well as celebrating these wonderful results, Mr Stapleton is keen to stress the huge contribution that this year group have made to the school and the support of their teachers:
“More than just grades, we are very proud of what each of these young people have contributed to the school and look forward to what they will become in the future. As a cohort they were committed to the end: representing the school in sport, drama and music and still achieving superb results. And, perhaps most importantly, they had a great time doing it. I am grateful to the teaching staff who have tutored and nurtured them on this journey. They depart ready for what lies ahead and with our very best wishes.”