Merchants’ Academy is extremely proud of its MA.16 sixth form students for coming through the challenges of the past two years and gaining the qualifications they need for a successful future. Overall, the average grade across A-levels, BTECs and other equivalent qualifications has risen from a D to a C.
Amongst the students who received their results today are several who will become the first in their family to go to university. Others achieved outcomes that will propel them towards high quality courses and apprenticeships as they pursue careers in a range of sectors, including banking, health and social care.
Many students at Merchants’ Academy studied BTECs and other qualifications equivalent to A-levels and, overall, results were up by a whole grade on 2019.
Head of School Vicki Starkie said: “I’m delighted for our students and they should feel very proud of their achievements. They have coped incredibly well over a tough couple of years, which included not being able to sit their GCSEs in 2020 and having to study in lockdown for a significant part of their sixth form journey. They have worked hard and shown such courage, I am confident that they will continue to achieve great success in the future.”
Amongst the MA.16 students who are now heading to university are Charlotte Hurley-Brookes, Jamie-Leigh Grist, Mckenzie Caddick and Jack Kingdom. Charlotte will read Social Studies at the University of Bath and Jamie-Leigh will attend Bath Spa University to read Business.
Charlotte, who achieved Distinction*, Distinction and Distinction in Health and Social Care BTEC and a C in A-level Sociology, hopes to become a family social worker or a school family link worker. She said: “It was difficult to study during Covid as my home is so busy, but I managed to shut myself away to study and revise during quieter times of the day. I’m really proud that I’ve achieved the grades I need to go to university, especially in Bath which was my first choice. I’m also proud of the fact that I’m the first in my family to go on to university.”
Jamie-Leigh gained Distinction* Distinction in BTEC Business and a C in A-level Sociology. She said: “I enjoy studying Business and it’s a course that will open various doors as I move on to a career. I’m so happy with my results, especially as my year group hasn’t taken any exams before because of Covid. Studying during lockdown was quite stressful as learning at home remotely isn’t the same as being in school and having face-to-face support from my teachers. I’ll be the first person in my family to go on to university, which has made my family really proud.”
McKenzie, who earned Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Computing, said: “I would really like to go into cyber security as a career, supporting companies against cyber-attacks. Studying through Covid was tough. It was definitely harder than being in school because you have to find the will to get on with work and stay focused. My family are all really proud of me. My dad phoned me from work this morning to find out my results, he was so happy! My mum was bursting with joy and is really proud that I’ll be going to university because no one in our family has achieved that before.”
Jack, who joined MA.16. from Chew Valley School, achieved a triple Distinction in BTEC Sport and is aiming to become a sports coach after university.
Also celebrating are Maisy Watts, Cade Hendry, Kacper Turksowski and Kirsty Carter.
Maisy achieved Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Business alongside an A-level in Biology and has already started an apprenticeship with Lloyds Banking Group, where she is thriving. She’s particularly enjoying working in a professional environment and is excited about the training opportunities on offer, which could enable her to gain a degree-level qualification while working.
Cade achieved a Distinction and Merit in Double Construction and the Built Environment alongside a Merit in Business Studies, securing a place at Abertay University Dundee to study Environmental Engineering.
Kacper achieved a Distinction in Business Studies alongside a Distinction* and Distinction in Construction and the Built Environment. Kacper will be studying Accounting and Management at the University of Bristol.
Kirsty achieved a Distinction* Distinction* and a further Distinction in Health and Social Care and has secured a high-quality apprenticeship in the social care sector.
Head of Sixth Form Dale Rowe said: “Despite the challenges of Covid that impacted so significantly on the educational experience of these students, each of them has continued to work hard, be kind and display resilience throughout. We feel incredibly proud of our students for achieving such fantastic outcomes, leading to well-deserved opportunities that will enable them to carve out bright futures for themselves.”
MA.16 is the sixth form of Merchants’ Academy and part of Venturers Trust which is sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol. As the sponsor, the University of Bristol provides a guaranteed reduced offer (a grade reduction of up to two grades below the standard entry requirements) or interview, depending on the course chosen, for all MA.16. students with the potential to study there; and the Society of Merchant Venturers provides an extensive range of work experience programmes available to all MA.16 students, as well as delivering career talks, mock interviews and mentoring.
