The wait for sixth form results is over at Dane Court Grammar School, where students study the International Baccalaureate.
Ecstatic students and their teachers celebrated the school’s best-ever results yesterday (6 July). Students’ average point score was up 3% on last year for the IB Diploma, for which students study six subjects, including three at higher level, plus a core programme of thinking and research skills.
Top scoring students were Vita Welcome, Imogen Colyer, Gowri Satish, Sally Warren, Puja Kumar, Alex MacLaren, Lauren Palmer Jones and Malgorzata Plichta.
Gowri said, “I was over the moon when I saw my results! I’m so excited! I couldn’t have done it without my teachers, especially my physics teachers!” Gowri’s grades mean she can take up her place at Warwick University to read computer science.
Head of Sixth Form Annie Hale commended the efforts of staff and students, saying: “I am delighted with these wonderful results. The commitment of the staff to developing the students’ potential has been tremendous and again our students have excelled themselves: the vast majority have been successful in achieving their first choice university place or their apprenticeship. We are all so proud of the Class of 2017!”
There were also record results for IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) students. The IBCP combines vocational and academic study.
Jack McGee, the highest scoring IBCP student, gained a double distinction star in his Health and Social Care technical award, and three level 7 grades in his academic IB subjects. When not studying hard, Jack has been an essential part of the Tech Team, as well as playing piano for the Dane Court Jazz Band.
He said, “I couldn’t believe it when I opened my results, I never could’ve imagined what the hard work would lead to. I’ve absolutely loved my time at Dane Court and I’m so grateful to all of my teachers for their hard work and dedication. I’m so sad to be leaving but I can’t wait to go to Sussex in September to study Biology. I shall never forget the people I have met and the wonderful memories we’ve shared.”
Other high-scoring IBCP students are Lucy Freeman, Lucy Richardson and Christopher Panter.
Head teacher Andrew Fowler said: “Students at Dane Court really have the edge when it comes to their academic studies because of the International Baccalaureate. In recent surveys, universities voted the IB Diploma ‘top for encouraging independent enquiry’ (A levels scored only half as well), and admissions officers rated the IB highest for preparing students to thrive at university.
“Most significantly, given the increasingly international profile of employment opportunities, 97% of admissions officers gave the IB their top rating for ‘encouraging a global outlook’. This compared to just 7% for A levels.
“Additionally, 93% of university lecturers considered that the IB helps ‘nurture an open mind’, compared to just 24% who thought the same about A levels. It is great to see these characteristics – open-mindedness, independence, global awareness – develop so well in our students during their time in the Dane Court sixth form.”
Dane Court Grammar School welcomes prospective sixth form students to start International Baccalaureate courses this September.
Interested students who have not already applied should contact the school on 01843 864941 or email Head of Sixth Form, Annie Hale ([email protected]).
View the sixth form prospectus at: danecourt.kent.sch.uk/hello/prospectus