Queen Anne's students shine with impressive 2022 A Level results

Queen Anne’s School in Caversham continues to prove its credentials in academic excellence with a strong set of A Level results. An outstanding 81% of results were graded A*- B and 96% at A*-C. The cohort has secured places at top universities in the UK including Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and King’s College, London. A number of girls at the leading independent day and boarding school have been accepted into prestigious international institutions including Princeton University, Parsons Fine Arts in New York and Boston University on a rowing scholarship.

Queen Anne’s is always proud of the number of students who choose to study STEM subjects at A Level. This year didn’t disappoint and 94% of exams sat in STEM subjects achieved A*-C and 78% at A*-B.

In English Literature, Further Maths, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Spanish 100% of students achieved an A* or an A and Music celebrated one pupil taking A Level a year early and achieving an A. Once again, the school’s outstanding performing and creative arts department have welcomed some fantastic results. 100% of pupils who sat arts subjects achieved A*-C.

One student, Molly, aged 18, has this year gained four A*s adding to the two A* A levels that she had already achieved in years 10 and 12. With subjects spanning Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Music, Maths and Further Maths, as well as four diplomas in recorder, piano, voice and trumpet, Molly has an exciting future ahead of her. She has chosen to give her talents to the medical world and will read Medicine at Oxford combined with a choral scholarship at Queen’s College, Oxford.

The school’s sportswomen also showed their academic prowess with Georgina, who has excelled in lacrosse and recently represented England U19s Lacrosse in the home internationals in Scotland, achieving A*AB securing her place at Nottingham to study Sport and Exercise Science. Elite discus thrower Zara has enjoyed many successes over the last year and has just returned to the UK from competing in the World Athletics Under 20s Championship in Columbia, where she threw a new personal best. Zara achieved ABB to secure her place on a Higher Level Degree Apprenticeship with BT in Birmingham where she can continue to compete and train in discus. Twin sister Zoe is leading the creative side of the family and has secured a place at London College of Fashion.

Many students achieved the coveted A*grades, including Lucy, from Caversham, who achieved A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and plans to read Medicine at Bristol, and Cherry, also from Caversham, who scored A*s in Art, Biology and Psychology will study Psychology at Queen Mary’s, University of London.

“It’s phenomenal to think that these students undertook a significant proportion of their A Level studies in a remote setting. Queen Anne’s was ahead of the game as a Microsoft Showcase School and ensured delivery of the entire curriculum and more. This, combined with the impressive commitment and enthusiasm of the cohort, meant that when pupils eagerly returned to normal school life they continued to excel academically,” explains Senior Deputy Head, Mark Richards. 

Numerous girls achieved a clean sweep of A and A* grades with Head Girl and Dance Captain Sophie, from Henley, among the line-up. Sophie achieved A*s in Art and Biology and an A in Chemistry and will study Natural Sciences at Bath. Wellbeing prefect Lillibeth, from Rotherfield Peppard. has secured a place at Manchester with A*s in Maths and Psychology and an A in Religious Studies and will read Cognitive Neuroscience. Lillibeth will work for the NHS in Oxford as a Healthcare Assistant for a year before her degree. Freya will read Law at Exeter and is celebrating AAA* in Economics, English Literature and History. Etty, from Henley, will study Geography at Newcastle after achieving A* in Business and As in Geography and Psychology.

Holly, from Caversham, shared the celebrations with her mother Lucy who is a Queen Anne’s alumna. Holly will be attending Nottingham to study Sociology and Criminology after achieving A*BB.

Rachael has accepted a place to study Early Childhood Studies at the University of Northampton and celebrated her results in style with Afternoon Tea at the Sofitel, Dubai.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the success of these young students today and so proud of my first QAS A Level cohort. I would like to congratulate the girls not only on their outstanding academic grades but on their achievements outside of the classroom, whether that’s on the sports pitches, in the concert hall or in giving back to the community. Since joining Queen Anne’s in January, I have been struck by the confidence and energy of the Upper Sixth students. They truly are leaving us prepared for their next steps into the world,” commented Head of Queen Anne’s, Elaine Purves.

The school is known for its top pastoral support and community which is reflected in the values of the pupils. “This year group show a fantastic sense of community and are passionate about making a change in the world. They were instrumental in launching the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Society and have worked tirelessly on numerous charity fundraisers,” shared Director of Sixth Form, Ben Stephenson.

This commitment to community and social justice is backed up by many of the students opting to pursue political and social sciences at university. One of the school’s full time boarding students from Essex, achieved A*AB and will read Medical Anthropology at Princeton University in the US. Her focus there will be on Health and Policy as she ultimately wants to work on eliminating race and gender bias in healthcare. Caitlin, from Upper Basildon, will read Law at Cardiff University and leaves the school with A in Drama and Theatre, B in History and A in Religious Studies.

Head Girl Serena has shone throughout her time at Queen Anne’s. Alongside many of the pupils, Serena undertook independent research in addition to her A levels as part of the Extended Project Qualification. Serena achieved A for her project entitled ‘What has allowed genocide and other extremes crimes against humanity to happen and what lessons are there for the future?’.

Further individual successes include:

• Charlotte achieved A*s in Classical Civilisation and History and a B in Maths and will study Classical Civilisation at Manchester.
• Venus achieved AAB and will study Maths at Queen Mary’s, London. 
• Tilly Goldsmith will study Sociology and Criminology at Bournemouth.
• Sahiba, a full boarder, achieved AAB and will study history at Manchester.
• Amy will attend Nottingham Trent to study Sport and Exercise Science.
• Annalise will study Biomedical Science at Swansea.