THE headteacher of Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley praised sixth form students on KS5 results day.

Violet Romaine Violet Romaine (Image: PHGS)

Sally Bishop said: "Once again we are all incredibly proud of our sixth form students who celebrate the culmination of their hard work today in receiving their well-earned exam results. A huge congratulations and well done goes to all of our students – you have flourished at Prince Henry’s, and we hope you can now enjoy your achievements and look forward to what the future may hold. The vast majority of students have succeeded in securing a place at their first choice university, apprenticeship or workplace. We wish all of them the very best for their next steps whatever their destination.”

Asher Dawrant Asher Dawrant (Image: PHGS)

She said comparisons to previous years remained difficult in light of how grades were awarded in 2020-22. However, overall, the school's excellence in academic performance is retained with increases across key attainment measures.

The overall pass rate is 99% and the percentage of higher grades awarded in 2024 remains strong with nearly 30% of all grades at the highest A*/A grade. Similarly, this cohort achieved 57% at A*-B and 82% at grades A* - C this year. All of these are above national averages.

Jack Cummings and Zachary Robinson Jack Cummings and Zachary Robinson (Image: PHGS)

There are some amazing individual success stories across the full range of academic achievement. At the top end a number of students gained straight A or A* grades. Three students secured an impressive full suite of A* grades and go on to their first choice of university with Lois Cameron-Young and Jack Cumming taking up their places at Oxford University to read History & French and Maths, respectively. Maisy Dixon also secured her place at Nottingham to study Politics and Economics.

Reuben Thornton and Emily Middlebrooke Reuben Thornton and Emily Middlebrooke (Image: PHGS)

Six further students achieved a mixture of A* and A grades and also progress to their first-choice destination. Among them are Asher Dawrant who will study Mechanical Engineering at Manchester University, Ollie Horvath who takes up his place at Durham to pursue Engineering, Daisy Millward-Higgins who will read Maths at Nottingham and Raj Sharma who is pursuing Medicine at Leeds University and Daisy Lister.

Lily Mwila Lily Mwila (Image: PHGS)

There were a number of other high-achieving students banking straight As who included Zach Robinson, who moves on to Sheffield to study Mechanical Engineering, Violet Romaine, who is going to read Geography at Liverpool and Luke Stanton, who is considering his options after securing a place at Manchester to study International Business, Finance and Economics.

Also of note were top achievers in our vocational programmes, many of whom will go on to take up places at university or on apprenticeships, which are rapidly gaining in popularity. In addition to the more traditional courses, the eclectic variety of destinations and subjects for our students this year is testament to the forward-thinking advice given to our sixth form, where new opportunities are increasingly promoted and taken up. Joseph Fletcher achieved an impressive 3 Distinctions in his BTEC courses and is considering his pathway and whether to follow the apprenticeship route. A growing number of students also choose gap years to consider their next steps.

Lois Cameron-Young Lois Cameron-Young (Image: PHGS)

Sally added: "We are particularly proud of a number of our students who have faced challenges around special educational needs and disabilities and of course there are many more personal success stories too numerous to mention. It should go without saying that we are proud of each and every one of our students for their endeavours and hard work whatever grades are achieved or destinations are being embarked upon.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank and congratulate the sustained efforts of our committed and dedicated staff at Prince Henry’s who continue to go the extra mile to ensure that our students can really flourish and achieve, fully equipped both academically and personally. The continued success of Prince Henry’s is due to their hard work and the commitment of our amazing students. Well done to all – we look forward to your photographs adorning our walls in years to come when you become one of our future Prince Henry’s People! Good luck and keep in touch.”