Over half of grades A*- A  at Portsmouth High School

Over half of grades A*- A  at Portsmouth High School

In another successful year at Portsmouth High School, Sixth Formers excitedly received their A-level results marking yet another year of excellent academic and personal achievements for students at the school. 

Girls at Portsmouth High School achieved over half of all grades A*-A. There was an excellent spread of top grades over all subjects. 100% of girls taking further mathematics, Latin, Chinese and Design Technology achieved A*-A.  80% of the girls studying English and French received A*- A and the majority of girls who sat mathematics, chemistry, physics, history and geography achieved A*- B grades. In the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), 98% of the year group gained an A*-A. This latter qualification focuses on producing a dissertation on a wide range of topics in a university style and is an invaluable pre-cursor to higher education.

 

Rachel Kellagher, 18, and Portsmouth High School’s Head Girl, was delighted with her grades of 3 A*s in geography, history and mathematics which secured her place at Balliol College, Oxford.  

 

Rachel said:

‘I have had a wonderful time at Portsmouth High School.  I’ve learned the skills of time management with juggling academic studies and being Head Girl.  It felt a bit mad at times but we got there in the end and the rest of the Head Girl team were amazing.  I met my best friend in Year 9 when I started here so that is one of my happiest memories of my school days.’

 

Rachel’s parents added:

‘The support of the school has been amazing.  With two more girls at the school we will be having to go through this again for another few years but we are off now to celebrate with a lunch out.’

 

Teenage sailor and race ace Matilda Nicholls, 17, received grades of A*, A and B and has proven why she’s been earmarked as ‘one to watch’ as she sailed to victory at the Laser Radial Youth World Championships earlier this month.

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) is a worldwide sailing club specifically for owners of Laser sailboats and people interested in the Laser.

Matilda, was crowned youth world champion after a week of intense action on the waters of Kingston on the shores of Canada’s Lake Ontario.  The 17-year-old from Durley, Southampton, won by 13 points over Australia’s Paige Caldecoat, with Ireland’s Eve McMahon coming next. The result is the latest in a run of victories for Matilda, who will now join the British Sailing Team and compete against the world’s best Olympic athletes.

‘It’s been a very tough past year having to both study hard for A-levels and train hard both on and off the water for my sailing. However I am so lucky that Portsmouth High School has been so accommodating and helped me balance both my school work and sailing so much so that at the end of this summer I have come out with the title of Under 19 World Champion and three really good grades. I would like to give a massive thank you to all of my teachers who have been so supportive and worked so hard to allow me to do what I have done this summer.’

 

Frances Colley, 18, gained 3 A* grades in chemistry, mathematics and Spanish:

‘I’m off to Bath University after a gap year,’ she said.  ‘I am planning on doing a ski season and travelling.  I would like to say a massive thanks to the school.  I wouldn’t have achieved these results without them.

 

Nabiha Ahmed, 18 got 3 As in biology, chemistry and English:

‘I’m off to read Biochemistry at Southampton.  I’m just not sure what the future holds but will see where it takes me.  I’m off now to celebrate with my family,’ she said. 

‘I am so delighted for the girls as they have performed well across all subjects including the sciences, arts and languages,’ said Headmistress Mrs Jane Prescott.  

‘These results are down to their hard work and excellent teaching from the staff particularly at a time when A Levels have become more challenging. Alongside their academic work, the girls are encouraged to keep up their activities and hobbies and this holistic approach leads to Portsmouth High School continually providing high quality education to girls in Portsmouth and the wider area.  We also understand that the school isn’t just about results but about preparing the girls for the next stages of their adult lives.’

 

Mr Rob Smith, Head of Sixth Form at Portsmouth High School added:

‘It is a joy to see how delighted the girls are with their amazing results. There is a tremendous atmosphere within the Portsmouth High Sixth Form. The girls have a real determination to succeed and excellent working relationships with their teachers; it’s a winning combination.’

 

Throughout the university application process sixth form tutors are on hand to give students one to one advice and support. A focus on monitoring and target setting, as well as specialist careers guidance, ensures every girl is on course to achieve her goals.