Students at Hymers College are celebrating a record-breaking set of A Level results, with more top grades achieved than ever before.
Almost a third of all A Level grades awarded at the independent Hull school were A*s – the highest proportion in Hymers’ history and an increase of nine percentage points on last year.
More than half of all grades were A* or A, while 77% were A*-B or equivalent, and 92% were A*-C or equivalent, underlining another exceptional year of academic achievement for the school.
Among a host of individual successes, 11 of the 67-strong A Level cohort achieved A*s in every subject they studied, while more than half of students taking three or more A Levels secured grades of ABB or better.
Hymers is also celebrating another outstanding year for BTEC Sport, with 100% of students achieving Distinction Star or Distinction grades.
Key highlights from this year’s results include:
- 29% of all grades awarded were A*. This is an increase of nine percentage points on last year.
- 92% of all grades were A*-C or equivalent
- 77% of all grades were A*-B or equivalent
- 53% of all grades were A* or A or equivalent
- 11 of the 67-strong A Level cohort achieved all A* grades
- More than half of the students studying three or more A Levels achieved ABB or better
- 100% of BTEC Sport students achieved Distinction Star or Distinction, repeating last year’s success.
Hymers students received offers from all 22 of the prestigious Russell Group universities to which they applied, including:
- Strong offers for Oxford or Cambridge, collectively known as the ‘Oxbridge’ universities.
- 19 offers for Durham University
- 30 offers to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science
- 29 offers from London-based universities.
Alice Xue, 18, from west Hull, is celebrating perfect grades and is now preparing to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
She achieved A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Alice said: “I’m so relieved and happy with my results, and I’m excited for the future.
“I’ve had lots of support from my teachers and I’d like to do a PhD, possibly going into scientific research in the future.
“Going to Cambridge means a lot because my family will be very proud of me and I have a lot of friends who are going there too.”
Guruguhan Balaji has his sights set on becoming a doctor after achieving four A* grades.
The 18-year-old, from Brough, who joined the school six years ago, will study Medicine at Newcastle University after achieving the highest grades in Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry this year, as well as Maths last year.
Guruguhan, who also played cricket for Hymers, said: “I was so nervous about my results and I didn’t sleep because of the fear of underperforming, but I feel great now.
“My dad is a doctor and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“I’ve really enjoyed being a student at Hymers.”
Daisy Fewster is fulfilling her dream of studying at the University of Oxford after securing outstanding A Level grades.
Daisy, 18, from Anlaby, will study Chemistry after achieving A* grades in Maths, Chemistry and her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). She also achieved a grade A in RE.
She mentored and tutored younger Hymers students and local primary school pupils, ran the school’s Debating Society, was part of the Fencing Club, and took part in the school’s Buddy System, supporting younger members of the Hymers community.
Daisy, who joined Hymers six years ago and collected her results with her mum, Joanna Hornshaw, by her side, said: “I’m really happy because these are the exact grades I needed to go to Oxford.
“I’ve always wanted to go and that’s why I came to Hymers. I revised very hard for two years.
“Hymers is a very close-knit community and there are so many opportunities. The teachers are all really happy for me and have been so supportive. They always go the extra mile.”
Joanna said: “Daisy has wanted to go to Oxford since she was very young and I’m so proud of her.
“I’ve seen how hard she has worked and now she can go and live her dream.”
Nandhan Sivakumar, 18, from Anlaby, is heading to the University of Cambridge to study Engineering after achieving A* grades in every subject.
Nandhan achieved the highest success across the board in Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
He also achieved an A* in his Maths A Level last year, has been captain of Hymers’ cricket first team and played for the school’s football first team.
Nandhan, who joined Hymers seven years ago, said: “The first time I visited Cambridge was for a school Chemistry competition, and I loved it.
“The course looks great. I’m going to have to work very hard but I’m really excited for the future.
“It’s easy to become passionate about subjects at Hymers because the teachers and students are really interested, so it enhances your enthusiasm.”
Bethany Coates, 18, from Driffield, is heading to the University of Liverpool to study Physiotherapy after receiving outstanding A Level grades.
Bethany, who also played in the school’s netball first team, joined Hymers nine years ago and achieved an A* in Business, grade A in Biology and grade B in PE.
She said: “I’m relieved to achieve these grades and my hard work has paid off. I’ve always wanted to go into Physiotherapy.
“There’s a great support system at Hymers and always someone to speak to.
“The sports tours, including playing netball in Sri Lanka and a skiing trip in France, have been amazing opportunities, and I’m excited for the future.”
Hymers Headmaster Justin Stanley said: “These are exceptional results and I am particularly delighted that our students have achieved the highest proportion of A* grades in Hymers’ history.
“To have so many grades awarded at the very highest level, alongside more than half at A* or A, is a tremendous achievement and reflects the hard work, ambition and commitment of our students, supported throughout by our dedicated teaching staff.
“A Level and BTEC results day is a rite of passage for these young people, who have been working so hard for a number of years to reach their goals.
“I would like to say to them, ‘well done, and thank you for everything you have contributed to Hymers – you’ve been a remarkable year group, who will be fondly remembered by your teachers for a long time to come’.
“They have been high-achieving and have left a mark as outstanding leaders of the school community but, just as importantly, they have been thoroughly nice people to have at Hymers. For all of that, we are very grateful.”
For more information about Hymers College, visit www.hymerscollege.co.uk