Farlington Sixth Form students celebrate excellent A-Level success

Farlington School is celebrating an excellent set of A-level results, with 44% of grades awarded at A*- A, 73% at A*- B and a 100% pass rate.

Particularly impressive is the Sixth Form’s value added score of +0.9, regarded as excellent progress by the Department for Education. This means that, on average, students surpassed their expected baseline by almost a full grade per entry. Overall, 65% of grades were at least one grade above the expected baseline, with 33% achieving at least two grades above, reflecting the outstanding progress made by students during their time at Farlington.

Students and staff gathered at school this morning to celebrate the results and the many achievements of the Year 13 cohort.

“I am immensely proud of our students’ achievements,” said Headmaster James Passam. “They have worked hard over the past two years both within and outside of the classroom. Not only are they rightly celebrating their excellent exam results, but many have achieved personal successes in other spheres, such as an extended project, music, drama, public speaking, sport and art.”

Head of Sixth Form Matt Ball added: “Over the past two years, our students have made outstanding progress, both academically and personally. Our tailored support and culture of high expectations have helped students to develop greater independence while ensuring they have the guidance they need to fulfil their potential.”

He continued: “These results are a testament to the resilience and dedication that our students have shown throughout their studies, as well as the collective efforts of our passionate teaching staff. I am incredibly proud of the efforts and aspirations within this cohort, with students now looking towards some exciting courses and universities, and I look forward to seeing where their hard work and ambition takes them.”

The individual experiences of students reflect the personalised approach that sits at the heart of Farlington’s Sixth Form. Iona, who achieved three A*s and will go on to study Medicine at the University of Plymouth, praised the consistency of teaching and the way staff understand each student as an individual. “It’s almost like the teachers learn how to teach you as an individual, based on how you like to learn,” she said, describing Farlington as “a really special place to learn”.

For Bethan, who received an equally impressive set of results, will begin training with the RAF later this year to become a fighter jet pilot, the confidence she developed through the opportunities available at Farlington has been particularly valuable. “There is just constant support from the teachers, and all of the different opportunities you can participate in have given me such confidence,” she said. “I feel like Farlington helps to give you the bravery to say ‘yes’.”

Rafael, who achieved A*s in Physics and Maths and an A in Further Maths, will undertake a 12-month internship at a City of London bank. Having joined Farlington for Sixth Form, he particularly valued the small class sizes and individual attention from teachers. “You get amazing teachers and a real opportunity to reach your full potential,” he said. “It feels like at Farlington you have more time to learn, and the teachers certainly have time for you and encourage you to aim high.”

Farlington students are now heading on to a wide range of exciting next steps, with destinations including the University of Exeter to study Civil Engineering, the University of Plymouth for Medicine, University College London for Economics, Business and Social Anthropology, University of the Arts London for Illustration and Oxford Brookes for Architecture. One student has also chosen to undertake a prestigious City internship before progressing to higher education, having received offers from Russell Group universities.

Alongside their academic studies, students have continued to embrace the breadth of opportunities available at Farlington, including music, drama and LAMDA, public speaking, sport, art and the Extended Project Qualification. These experiences are an important part of developing the confidence, independence and ambition that students take with them into their next chapter.

As Farlington looks ahead to the new academic year, the Sixth Form continues to grow, with a broad A-level curriculum and further investment in opportunities and facilities. The school is also looking forward to welcoming its first higher award academic scholars into the Sixth Form in September.

The whole Farlington community would like to congratulate the all of our Year 13 students on their achievements and wish them every success as they take their next steps.