Pictures: Students in west Dorset celebrate A-Level results

Students at west Dorset schools including Beaminster School, Sir John Colfox Academy and the Woodroffe School all picked up their results on Thursday, August 15.

Staff and students at Woodroffe in Lyme were ‘delighted with the excellent set of examination results achieved this year which represent performance in line with the outstanding pre-pandemic levels achieved by our students,’ headteacher Dan Watts said.

Daniel Totten received four A* grades in chemistry, geography, physics and his EPQ. Daniel is now set to study chemistry at University College London (UCL).

Hetty Christopher achieved three A* grades in chemistry, maths and further maths and is heading off to study medicine at Cambridge.

Charlotte Boyce got an impressive  A*A*AB in psychology, law, English and EPQ and will be studying criminology and psychology at the University of Southampton.

Kathryn Conway is celebrating AAAD grades in art, art graphics, EPQ and geography and will be studying games art at the University of South Wales.

Daisy Dean achieved A*AAA grades in biology, chemistry, French and maths and will be studying conservation and ecology with a year abroad at Exeter University.

Kitty Harahan received A*AAB in EPQ, history, French and classics and will be studying modern languages at Exeter University.

Mr Watts said: “We are delighted with the excellent set of examination results achieved this year which represent performance in line with the outstanding pre-pandemic levels achieved by our students. We would like to extend our congratulations to all our wonderful students, it is well deserved.”

Staff and students at Beaminster Colfox Joint Sixth Form are celebrating another year of fantastic A level and BTEC results. 

The joint Sixth Form has much to celebrate, with many top end grades achieved and most students getting into their first choice universities or on to higher-level apprenticeships, as well as those who are entering the workplace.

Bailey Prowse achieved A*AAB. He said: “I’m so pleased with my results. I’ve done better than I expected.”

Bailey Prowse (Image: Beaminster Colfox)

He plans to take a year out before taking up a place at the University of Portsmouth to study Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime.

Dylan Gowrie is very ‘excited’ after receiving A*AAC, and is preparing to study mathematics at King’s College, London.

A Level results - Dylan Gowrie (second left) with his tutors at Sir John Colfox Academy, Bridport. 15th August 2024. Picture Credit: Graham Hunt Photography (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

He said: “It’s awesome. I can’t wait for the social and academic side of studying in London. It’s really exciting.”

Esme Wynn, who is going on to study Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at the University of Manchester achieved an impressive AAB grade.

Poppy Dulwich was ‘delighted and relieved’ to achieve her two A grades and is now off to the University of Exeter to study biomedical sciences.

Poppy Dulwich, Minnie Harding, Naomi Gardner and Sophia Hughes with their A Level results at Beaminster School. 15th August 2024. Picture Credit: Graham Hunt Photography (Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

Minnie Harding ‘cannot wait’ to start at Bath Spa to study criminology.

Adam Shelley, Headteacher of Sir John Colfox Academy, said: “Today we celebrate the truly fantastic achievements of our students after a huge amount of hard work. Their commitment to academic excellence and a determination to do well has resulted in some great results."

Keith Hales, Headteacher of Beaminster School, added: “I have complete faith that these young people will go on to impress whether they move into higher education, take up an apprenticeship or enter the world of work.”

Sarah Walters, Head of Sixth Form at Beaminster School, said: “Congratulations to all the students and staff at the Beaminster Colfox Joint Sixth Form on achieving such a wonderful set of results. We look forward to seeing what they go on to accomplish.”

Adam Teasdale, Head of Sixth Form at Colfox Academy, added: “I am always impressed by the resilience and positivity of the young people in the Joint Sixth Form. Thanks to their industry, and the hard work of their teachers, they have exam results they can be proud of.”

Figures published from Ofqual have revealed the proportion of A-level entries who have received the top grades compared to previous years. 

Students in Dorset have improved on the previous two years either side of Covid.

The proportion of A-level entries graded A or above in 2024 is 26.8 per cent, compared to 25.1 per cent in 2023 and 24.8 per cent in 2022.

Check out the interactive gallery at the top of the page for all the pictures.