Academic Achievements

Key Highlights*

* 2014 Results

‘Felstedians are reflective, ambitious, life-long learners with high levels of emotional and intellectual skills and

knowledge. Their attitudes to learning are excellent’ ISI 2013

Impressive International Baccalaureate Results Felsted achieved outstanding IB results, with an average score of 33.5 points, equivalent to two As and one B at A Level. A world class score of 43 was achieved by one pupil. Top Performing A Levels - 60% (A*- B) The percentage of A Level results at the highest level is maintained from the 2013 figure. 35% achieved A* and As, a rise of 8% from 2013 and a record for the School. Consistently Strong GCSE Results 71% of pupils achieved A*- B. 94% of pupils gained 5 A*-C grades including English and Maths, a rise from 92% in 2013. Thirteen pupils achieved at least 8 A* and As. Exceptional Added Value Felsted scored in the top 10% of all schools nationally for Value Added for the second year running. In simple terms, pupils are more likely to improve their academic performance at Felsted than at 90% of other schools, either state or independent, in the UK. Rated 100% Excellent, Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) 2013 Rated ‘Excellent’ in all aspects, including Teaching and Pupil Achievement.

Felsted’s holistic approach to learning aims to develop each pupil’s intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual potentials. This brings powerful benefits, not just in academic terms, but in the development of a fully rounded individual. Pupils progress better at university, in business, with interests and with life in general.

Felsted’s size allows each student to be known extremely well by the teaching and pastoral team, complementing our individual approach to learning. As a fully co-educational school for over 30 years, our own research tells us that it is the way in which a child is taught as an individual that is important and not by being categorised, for example, by gender. Supportive academic tutoring through the House system ensures all students make excellent progress.

When compared academically against other schools, both independent and state, Felsted scores extremely well. Felsted outperforms the majority in the League Tables regionally (one or two schools may sit above us but this is achieved through their stringent academic selection), but leads in terms of the value we deliver to a broad range of academic ability on a national scale. Added Value is a score produced by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University, who analyse subject performance and pupil ability data. In both 2012 and 2013, Felsted’s score fell in the top 10% of all schools nationally. Put in simple terms, this means …

This is an impressive statistic indeed, and one which I attribute to a number of factors - strong academic leadership, rigorous student tracking, a clear focus on learning and a passionate and dedicated teaching and pastoral team. We believe that we are able to offer an individual approach to teaching that provides an appropriate level of support and challenge for every student, with a Gifted and Talented Programme for the most able and a leading Support for Learning Department for those that need extra help.

... is all about the individual

Felsted’s Philosophy Of Learning …

Exceptional Added Value

... pupils at Felsted are more likely to exceed their academic performance at Felsted than at 90% of other schools nationally.

Jeremy Westlake, Deputy Head Academic

Felsted can be extremely proud of its strong set of exam results this year, and its position in the League Tables. With a broad intake of ability, students have done extremely well academically, while learning to balance an exceptional range of other achievements at a high level too.

61% of all results were A* to B grades.

13 students achieved all A* or A grades and 24 gained 2 As and a B or better (one fifth of the cohort).

The overall pass rate was yet again sustained at a very high level - 99% A* to E grades.

35% of all results were at A* or A, a record for the School.

The percentage of A*, A and B grades was sustained for a third year, reaching over 70% again, in a year when the standard required at GCSE has been toughened. Thirteen students gained at least 8 A* or A grades, amongst whom Isabelle George achieved a particularly impressive 8 A*s and 2 As. Tor Holmes and Tom Lane-Feldman both gained 7 A*s and 3 As respectively!

The overall pass rate was again exceptionally high with 92% of all students gaining five or more A* to C passes, including English and Maths.

Felsted achieved another astounding set of IB results, with an average score of an impressive 33.5 points. 41% of students gained 34 points or more, equivalent to 2 As and a B at A Level.

The highest individual score was a world class 43 points (max 45), a new top score for Felsted. 12% of students achieved 40 points or better, which is seen as the benchmark for Oxbridge.

A further 24% of students achieved 35 points or better, which is the offer required for Medical Schools and for universities that are part of the prestigious Russell Group.

Three students achieved places at Oxford and Cambridge in 2014.

Eliz Peck gained an Impressive 3 A*s and has met her offer to read History at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Dan Benson, secured 2 A*s and an A to read Physics at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. Hugh Evans, achieved 1A* and 2 As and will read Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Balliol, Oxford.

All three Oxbridge pupils made the most of their time at Felsted, balancing their academic work with full involvement in either sport, music, debating or the arts.

Exam Results Go From Strength To Strength

Top Performing A Level Results

Impressive IB Results

Excellent GCSE Results

Oxbridge Entry

Pupils can achieve amazing results at school and at university, but if they are unable to fulfil their career aspirations then Felsted has not supported them well enough. The Felsted Network was set up in 2011 to provide this support; an online database of over 450 parents and former Felstedians offering advice, work experience and jobs across a wide range of careers.

Work education begins at Felsted from the earliest years. Children are exposed to different professions through role play and by visitors such as Dentists, Farmers and Doctors in Stewart House, through to inspirational visiting speakers and workplace experience higher up in the Preparatory School.

In Year 9, pupils take part in an Industry Day, where they have a choice to visit a variety of different industries.

The World of Work Day in Year 10 gives pupils a taste of the future and what they have to achieve in order to realise their goals. Parents and OFs give advice about different careers, CVs and the importance of work experience. A Speed Careering session allows pupils to question professionals and find out about many different careers in a practical and individual way.

Sixth Formers experience a range of Industry Talks by returning Felstedian professionals, focussing on a variety of differing careers, such as Art, Medicine, Law, Insurance, Journalism and Finance. These provide valuable insight for our students planning their future careers.

Internships and work experience are offered within the Felsted Network, providing that crucial step into a career that is so tough to achieve in todays world of work.

Work Education And The World Of Work

Top University Entry In 2014, over 80% of those applying to university gained either their first choice of university or their insurance choice. The remaining students secured places through the clearing system or are taking gap years. Many university places included top courses at Russell Group Universities such as below:

Oxford Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Physics

Edinburgh Biological Sciences, Spanish, History and English Literature

King’s London Law, Music

Bristol Economics and Politics, Economics

Durham Education Studies, International Relations

Manchester Architecture, Psychology

Nottingham Geography, History and Politics

Exeter Business and Management

Birmingham Modern Languages and Business

Cambridge History