Dynamic Duo Scores Top Marks in Ardingly College GCSE Results

Ardingly twins Florence and Olivia Bell, who received 21 A* grades and 3 A grades between them, were among a group of 16 high flying girls and boys at Ardingly College who achieved all A* and A grades in their GCSEs.

Top performing pupils Emilia Carslaw, with an outstanding 12 A*s, Harriet Batchelor with 11 A* grades, Rachael Bartlett and Megan Forbes with 9 A*s, were celebrating the College's GCSE results today, where 45% of all grades in the 89-strong year group were at A or A* and 73% A* to B grades.

Emilia, who has boarded at Ardingly since her family moved to Scotland, said: “I am thrilled with my results and I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Ardingly. I hope people don't keep saying that exams are getting easier – I can tell you they were tough and we worked really hard.”

Local boys William Hutton from Haywards Heath and Robert Key from Wivelsfield both scored 8 A* grades in addition to their A grades. With their top grades in biology, chemistry and physics, the school's Director of Studies Steve Allen said that the boys were part of an extremely strong science year group. Ardingly racked up an encouraging 88% of A* and A grades in biology, chemistry and physics.

Mr Allen said: “Nationally, the number of students taking three separate sciences is falling and there is a worrying shortage of students going on to university to study these subjects so Ardingly is particularly keen to encourage boys and girls to continue these and other traditional academic subjects.” Staff were therefore particularly delighted with the 93% A* and A grades in Religious Studies and 100% A* and A grades in Latin. A quarter of the year group also studied two or more modern languages.

Headmaster Peter Green said: ‘I am delighted with all our students' results. Significant achievements were made not just by those with the very top grades but also by those who worked very hard and achieved their personal best. I am equally proud of those girls and boys who contribute so enormously to the success of the school in other ways, too. With all the league table fever, we must never forget that a good school has the responsibility to produce happy, fulfilled pupils who are able to excel in their own areas.'