The Chronicle Autumn Term 2017

14 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

The Academic Culture

We catch up with Deputy Head Academic, Matthew Albrighton, to discuss this year’s results, the process behind the upward trend and the new Academic Centre.

What’s your reaction to this year’s results?

What were the record statistics? Best ever A* at GCSE (62%), best ever A*-B + Levels 5-7 (79%) and best ever A Level A*-B (78%). If you look back to when the Warden and I joined the School, we’ve taken huge strides in overall performance, the A*-B, 5-7 area, which represents the vast majority of the pupil body – these figures are up by some 10% since 2012.

Are the end-of-year results your key benchmark? Actually no. I am most pleased and excited by the process behind the results. Teddies is a different school to the one I joined six years ago. The coaching culture fosters and supports an environment in which the pupils actively engage in their own learning. We do not allow our pupils to sit passively in class, or to be passive in their approach.

I’m very happy. We achieved three record statistics which is always pleasing. Pupils worked hard and clearly followed the advice we give them on a regular basis – which is that it is not enough just to work hard. You have to work intelligently. Be honest with yourself about the things you find difficult and tackle those head on.

Well done to the pupils pictured above who achieved outstanding GCSE results: Ilana Cope (10 A*, 1 A, Cherwell ); Anish Mehta (11A*, Caldicott ); Tim Hohage (11 A*, 1 A, Annette-von-Droste-Huelshoff Gymnasium ); Annabel MacDonald-Smith (11 A*, Farleigh ); Sybilla Hamilton (11 A*, Packwood Haugh ); Kyla Haslett-Hawkins (9 A*, 2 A, Dragon ); Sanders Lau (9 A*, 3 A, Kingston International ); Aerin Hobbs (10 A*, 1 A, Wycombe Abbey ); and Michael Proskuryakov (11 A*, King Edward’s,Witley ).