Students at Merchants’ Academy in South Bristol are celebrating today, with A-level results up 8% on last year. 83% of students achieved A-E grades, 24% of which are A-C.

Subjects that scored particularly well this year include Business Studies and Media Studies A-level, as well as ICT and Sport BTEC, with high value-added scores and 100% of students receiving A-E grades. 

A number of students made outstanding progress from their GCSE starting points. For example, Ben Hammond achieved a Double Distinction in ICT and Elexcie Vowles achieved the equivalent of three A-levels, including a Double Merit in Health and Social Care. Ben will now read Computer Science at the University of Bournemouth and Elexcie will read Health and Social Care at the University of Plymouth. 

Katie Campbell will read International Law at the University of Roehampton; Rose Kollar will read Criminal Psychology at the University of Derby; Chelsea Hughes will read Tourism Management at the University of Plymouth; Zak Gibbs will read Business Management at the University of Plymouth; and Emily Knapp will read Art at the University of the West of England.

Overall, 80% of all Year 13 students have succeeded in gaining their first choice in university places. 

Ben Hammond, who collected his results with his mum Tina Hammond and who will be the first member of his family to go to university, said: “I’m so excited to be starting my degree. My form tutor, Mr Bryan, has been an amazing inspiration to me. He helped me to stay focussed and motivated and now, not only do I want to pursue a career in Cyber Security, I’m already thinking about a PHD! If I was asked to give advice to other students who might be finding it hard to focus on their studies, I’d say ‘don’t get distracted, always try your best and don’t give up too easily’.”

Photo caption: Ben Hammond with Principal, Samantha Williamson

Andy Marshall-Aherne, Assistant Vice Principal and Head of MA.16. Sixth Form, said: “Many of our students have never travelled far outside Bristol, but today they are accepting university places across the country where they will continue to carve out a successful future for themselves. In most cases, these students are the first members of their family to attend university and the confidence they have shown in pursuing their dreams and aspirations is inspirational.”

Principal, Samantha Williamson, said: “Our students have worked extremely hard to achieve significant progress and they should feel very proud of their results today. Some students have done so well they have upgraded to better universities.”

Since September, the academy has been offering a broader Post-16 curriculum with increased vocational qualifications alongside existing academic subjects. The football academy, established as part of the Bristol City Community Trust, and the hair and beauty training centre and salon, have both been popular and will see the first students graduate in July 2020.

The Sixth Form Centre, MA.16., has been the focus of a development phase over the summer and launches next week with enhanced facilities and wider opportunities to develop student leadership and work-related learning.

Mrs Williamson added: “Our sponsors continue to help us develop high-quality apprenticeships and a number of our students will also now take the first steps into developing successful careers within industry.”