Class of 2020 Should All Be Proud of Excellent A Level Results

The Grange School is proud to celebrate the great success of the class of 2020 who have kept pace with previous year’s cohorts by achieving a stunning set of A Level results.

Head of The Grange, Deborah Leonard, commented ‘The Class of 2020 has shown great resilience through a really challenging time. The student is at the heart of our provision and I am delighted that there are so many positive outcomes to celebrate today. All of our students leave the school armed with strong results and the impressive skills that a Grange School education offers. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them, especially at a time that they have had to show so much resilience.’

After a busy year as Head Boy and Head Girl, Harry Barker achieved a clean sweep of A*s to go on to read Medicine at Downing College, Cambridge whilst Head Girl Orla McEvoy achieved A* and A grades to take up her place for Dentistry at the University of Manchester.

Harry spoke about the spirit amongst his year group over the last six months saying ’It’s not been easy for our year. We left school with two days’ notice but we’ve pulled through it together. I’m proud of what everyone in the year has done today, we’ve all worked so hard for what we have achieved.’ On his own success Harry said ‘On a whole, it is a feeling of relief! I’m very excited about going to Cambridge and a bit apprehensive as I know it will be a challenge. I’ve missed learning so much and having responsibilities and being busy so I can’t wait to start’.

On her results, Orla said ‘It has been so nerve-racking because normally you’d have sat your exams and at least been able to make a judgement on how they went yourself.’ Orla also commented on how the Year 13 students at The Grange worked through the last six months together. ‘One random Friday in March it was all over and it’s been so important to support each other. The second it went past 8am today, there were loads of messages on my phone. It is important to celebrate each other’s results as we’ve not been able to see each other as we normally would.’

Harry and Orla’s success mirrors wider success within the Sciences as students excelled in these subjects. Yet choice is a key part of a Grange education and this gives our students the confidence to pursue their individual interests to undertake an array of different subject combinations. Visitors to Chester Arts Fair will have been impressed by the work of Grange students (two of whom won their respective age categories) and will be unsurprised to hear that the creative subjects are thriving at The Grange.

The class of 2020 have been equally impressive outside of the classroom, enriching their studies admirably. On the sports field, the Senior netballers reached the national quarter-finals whilst the U19 footballers reached the Cheshire County Cup final, whilst our Musicians have delighted audiences in a range of community concerts. The cast of our school production of the Great Gatsby showed great resilience in adapting skilfully to the Covid-19 situation by delivering a superb live to camera performance prior to lockdown. A fitting way for director Mrs Jannette Bloor, who has been at The Grange for over 20 years, to sign off as Head of Department. 

Throughout their time at The Grange, the class of 2020 have made the most of every opportunity and amassed skills that will stand them in good stead in the wider world and will continue in this with many of them going on to career-related degrees such as Engineering and Dentistry. This year group have clearly loved the broader education The Grange offers and are looking to continue this as one in eight of them will be undertaking industry placements or year abroad alongside their university studies. The world of work is more imminent for two of our students who will be successfully joining apprenticeship schemes having achieved superb grades this summer.

Head of Sixth Form Jamie Walker commented ‘At every point, the class of 2020 have impressed us with their wholehearted approach to Grange School life. As well as impressing academically, we have enjoyed celebrating their success in a variety of sporting, dramatic, musical and community activities. We have really appreciated their highly significant contribution to our school community and wish them every success in future.’