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18 August 2022
It has been a tremendously successful year for Portsmouth High School students as they opened their A Level results this morning.
‘The students have done so well,’ said Headmistress, Mrs Jane Prescott. ‘They have worked hard and you can feel the atmosphere in the Hall today as they receive their well-earned results. These are the first public examinations the students have taken, having missed out sitting formal GCSEs in 2020. They have been supported by family and staff at Portsmouth High School and, of course, each other. It is a tribute to their hard work and supportive surroundings that they have all moved forward with their chosen journeys, be it university, apprenticeships or gap year travels.
Head Girl, Annalee Macfarlane, 18, opened her results live on air on the BBC Radio Solent Pat Sissons show. Annalee received 3 A*s in chemistry, mathematics and physics. She starts a degree apprenticeship with Rolls Royce plc and Warwick University in October based in their Solihull plant.
‘It was pretty nerve-wracking waiting until 10.15am to open the results but I am so excited to be taking a degree apprenticeship. This will combine a university education and work experience which is perfect for me. I have loved my time at Portsmouth High School and it has been an absolute privilege to be the Head Girl.’
Eleanor Palmer, 18, received three B grades and is going to study Music and Business Management at Southampton University ‘I have been at Portsmouth High School since Year 7 and have had amazing support from teachers, friends and family. I am off now to celebrate with breakfast.’
Three students have gained their places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Maddie Oliver, 18, is going to Oxford to read Geography with A* and two As and then plans to join the British Army. Juhi Miah, 18, has gained a place at Oxford with A* and 2 As to read Geography and Matilda Barker, 18, having had major surgery during the last two years, managed to gain 3 A*s in order to read English at Cambridge.
‘My back surgery was postponed twice during my last year of A Levels. Each time I had actually reached hospital and then had to leave. I finally had the surgery in July, after the exams. I have grown three inches and, along with my two eye surgeries can now stand tall and read; a pretty good start for university life in Cambridge.’
Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Katie Wood, said:
‘This summer saw pupils return to public examinations. Having not sat their GCSEs, we are especially proud of our Year 13 pupils. They have faced their A-Levels with stoic resilience and determination, but in their revision they have also honed many of the practices that were born in lockdown.
The ‘bring your own device’ policy we introduced in September has meant that our Sixth Form students have continued to develop their technological prowess alongside the fantastic results they have achieved. Coupling their A Levels with the Extended Project Qualificafion (EPQ) has ensured they are a step ahead when it comes to higher education. They have experienced the kind of independent study that will be expected of them, and have embraced the modern working methods that will enable them to succeed, both at university and in the workplace.’
