The Girls of the North
Another brilliant A-level results day for Withington Girls’ School in Manchester and Alderley Edge School for Girls in Cheshire
It seems to be very much about STEM this year. The Reality Check team of the BBC News informs us that in recent years A-level entries in science, technology, engineering and maths (known as the STEM subjects) have increased by 15,500, a rise of 6%. Impressive A-level results in all subjects, achieved by the students of Withington Girls’ School and Alderley Edge School for Girls, show us that the young women of Manchester and Cheshire are also following this trend of increased interest in science and mathematics.
Headmistress of WGS, Mrs Sarah Haslam says, “As always, our girls do not shy away from the subjects traditionally favoured by boys and we were delighted that 77% of the grades achieved in mathematics were at A* or A grades.” Withington’s reputation for excellence in the STEM subjects was again confirmed: with 40% of results from 100 examinations taken across Mathematics and the Sciences achieved at A*, and 73% at A – A*.
These excellent results have seen successful conclusions to applications to universities to study degrees such as Physics, Mathematics, Medicine and Veterinary Science. Other areas of study, however, share the honours, with top grades achieved across all subject areas.
The Alderley Edge School for Girls is also “delighted that almost 40% of our girls are going on to study STEM related subjects at university. This reflects the School’s commitment to ensuring that girls can pursue and succeed in any future career they choose. Individual successes are plentiful and impressive.
Amongst the amazing results achieved, Jewel Bennett achieved 4* grades and will be going to study Medicine at Oxford University and Isabella Vickers (Head Girl) and Anna Smith with their A* and A grades will study Medicine at Liverpool and St. George’s respectively. With 4 A* and 2 A grades between them, Charlotte Powell is considering a career in Dentistry and Tierney Gilson will read Business Management at Leeds. Manchester University will also be welcoming Lucinda Beeson to read Theoretical Physics.”
It is not all about STEM subjects, of course. Helen Jeys, Headmistress at AEGS says, “This is another brilliant set of results for our girls. Linear A level courses, and their equivalent, are incredibly challenging and these results reflect the girls’ hard work as well as the support of their wonderful teachers and the outstanding sixth form team. I look forward to seeing how the girls continue to flourish as they enter their various university courses and apprenticeships. Alderley Edge School for Girls has prepared them well for this next stage of their lives.”
