August 15, 2024
Three quarters of A Level grades are A*- A at WGS
With over three in four grades (77%) achieved at an A* or A grade by students at Withington Girls’ School in this year’s A Level examinations, there was jubilation and every reason for celebration when the students collected their hard-earned results.
For a group of students who also found the time to contribute to school life by excelling on stage in drama productions and music recitals, on the sports field, in completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award (32, or 42% of the cohort) and participating in Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, Mock Trial and community partnership initiatives, it is a truly impressive achievement.
“Results Days are always a special occasion for the Withington community, offering an opportunity to celebrate successes whilst also supporting those of our pupils who are continuing to explore their options. A number of our students will make decisions on their further education now they have their results, and our Sixth Form team is on hand for as long as required to support those who wish to apply,” explained Withington’s Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Haslam.
WGS A Levels 2024 at a glance
All seven students who received conditional offers at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford have secured their places to read courses including Geography, Law, Medicine, Natural Sciences and Philosophy & Theology.
With the majority of the Class of 2024 who applied achieving places at their chosen universities, including top institutions such as Imperial College London, UCL, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Warwick, a number are opting for other routes including Foundation Art courses at MMU and University of Arts, London, a foundation Drama course at LAMDA and a highly sought-after legal degree apprenticeship with the law firm Bird & Bird. Seventeen students have been accepted on courses in Medicine (13) and in Dentistry (four), while two leavers from last year will also start degrees in Medicine.
Director of Sixth Form at Withington, Ms Elizabeth Robinson, explains a key factor behind the school’s consistent success in A Level examinations: “It’s really about getting to know each individual student – from those who have been with us since Juniors to those who join us to complete their A Levels. During the two years in Sixth Form, we track their progress as well as understand their aspirations. Lots of one-to-one conversations happen, backed by outstanding teaching across subjects.
“Our teacher-student relationships are so strong – our students always feel able to ask the right questions to develop their learning and understanding. Further to that, achieving a good work/life balance is a message we’re constantly reiterating.”
Head Girl Sonali Koku Hannadige, who will now take up her place at Jesus College Cambridge to read Medicine, said: “It’s been an absolute privilege and honour to attend Withington. I’ve spent over half my childhood here – and over the past nine years, the school has helped me to not only find my strengths academically and in extracurricular activities – but to further build on them. The caring, nurturing environment has equipped me with very strong foundations for the future.
“I would like to thank my teachers, my year group and the whole school community for helping to create such a positive, holistic Withington experience; an incredible blend of pastoral and academic support, which has helped me to become the very best version of myself. It’s amazing also to have seen how my peers have flourished as well during their time here.”
Open Days for entry to Withington Girls’ School will be held on Thursday 7th November and Saturday 9th November and the Sixth Form Information Evening will take place on Wednesday 9th October 2024. Book to attend here: Visit Withington this Autumn.
Page updated 2nd October 2024
Our five-strong Head Girl team all attained A* and A grades
All seven Oxbridge offer holders secured their places
Karen is 1 of 5 students nationally to be offered a sought after legal apprenticeship
Year 12 joiners Dhriti and Diandian achieved A* and A grades
Greta (right) will take up an Art foundation course; sister Anouska has just graduated in Fine Arts from Oxford
Janani will study History, Politics and Economics at UCL
Pako will read Journalism at Northwestern University
Zunaira will study Dentistry at Manchester, joining her two sisters – both former pupils – at the university
Ananya secured her spot at Imperial College London to study Design Engineering
Meghana will take up her place at her first choice university (Leeds) to study Medicine
