A Level/Pre-U Results 2023
Published by Canford School on Thursday 17th of August 2023
Canford’s Upper Sixth pupils have excelled once again in their A Level and Pre-U examinations this summer, with 31% of all papers graded A*, 66% A*-A, 88% A*-B and 98% A*-C. These results are among the highest in the school’s 100 year history: a fine achievement in a year where the percentage of top grades has fallen nationally back to pre-Covid levels.
By comparison, overall figures across England saw 8.6% of all examinations graded A*, 26.5% A*-A, 52.7% A*-B and 75.4% A*-C. According to Ofqual’s average statistics, independent schools saw 18.7% of all examinations graded A* and 47.4% graded A*-A. Across schools in our South West region the A*-A figure was 26.3%.
So Canfordians have significantly outperformed both across the sector and across the country. Excellence was evident in results across the range of Arts, Science and Humanities subjects at A Level, while in Pre-U, D1 grades (beyond an A* at A Level) were achieved in Art and French, with over a third of all papers in Art, French, German and Spanish awarded D1-D2 grades (A* at A Level). 83% of all Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs worth half an A Level) were graded A*-A. Sixteen Canfordians were awarded straight A*s or D1/D2 grades, twelve gained at least 4 A*/As and 58 pupils, over 40% of the cohort, were awarded at least 3 A*/A grades.
Like so many of our pupils, these top performers are multi-talented, with their additional successes including GB swimming and Performance Level netball selection, ABRSM Music diplomas, Grade VIII distinctions and original musical direction and commendation in National essay competitions.
Despite reports of lower numbers of university places gained this year, we are delighted that of the 156 Canfordians, including OCs, applying through UCAS in 2023, 126 have secured their first choice university places so far, 85% to top institutions in the Russell Group/Top 12 including Oxbridge and eight on the highly competitive courses for Medicine and Veterinary Science, with a number of decisions still pending.
The wide range of courses selected reflects the encouragement we give to all Canfordians to follow their hearts and minds, whether their passion is for traditional academic subjects or for vocational courses which this year include Mechanical Engineering, Real Estate, Counter Terrorism, Immunology, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Banking and Finance, Quantity Surveying and Psychology.
Six pupils have places with international universities - Georgetown, Washington DC, UC Santa Barbara CA, Queen’s University Canada, Haverford Pennsylvania, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a dual program at Sciences Po, Paris and UCL.
Two pupils have places on sought after degree apprenticeships with the Dyson Institute and IBM and two are heading to Art Foundation courses Headmaster Ben Vessey commented: “I am absolutely delighted for all our Upper Sixth pupils. They have worked incredibly hard to gain these outstanding examination results, among the highest in the school’s history. This is a wonderful testament to the quality of a Canford education as we celebrate our centenary year.
The results are also particularly special given the context that this year group did not sit public examinations for their GCSEs in 2021 due to the pandemic and A Levels were therefore the first major senior external examinations they had experienced.
My immense thanks go to the dedicated body of Canford teaching staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that pupils were as well prepared as possible, both academically and pastorally. Our Upper Sixth have so clearly demonstrated the Canford values of Purposeful Engagement, Courageous Attitude, Humble Ambition and Gracious Leadership, and we are extremely proud of the mature, dedicated and resilient approach they have taken to their studies, and indeed in their approach to their wider educational and personal development across so many areas of school life.
Their achievement is richly deserved and I wish all our leavers every continued success and happiness as they embark on exciting futures. As every pupil who has passed through Canford knows, “Once a Canfordian always a Canfordian.” Keep in touch!”
