Prospectus
Results Days 2008
Downs School Students Top the League!
Congratulations to All!
A Level Results
The Downs students have surpassed themselves this year with an even greater number of outstanding top grades than were achieved in last year’s bumper crop. There were a huge number of beaming faces as the results were opened at the school on Thursday morning, 14th August 2008.
Headteacher Val Houldey commented,
Our sixth form continually impress me with their highly developed creativity and initiative, as well as excellent sense of service to the community. They have now added to this a stunning set of academic achievements.
There were many students with an excellent individual performance, gaining A grades in all subjects
81 students sat A levels this year.
99% of entries passed;
80% gained grades at C and above:
over 60% of entries achieved A levels at grade A and B:
over 35% of grades were at A.
GCSE Results
The results of the GCSE examinations were no less impressive, with many congratulations being passed around the hall when envelopes were opened on the morning of 21st August 2008.
Headteacher Val Houldey said,
The success factor of Olympic Team GB seems to have rippled into The Downs. The results are fabulous. We are so proud of our youngsters who have been really focussed. Good results are about pupils doing their best – no matter whether they end up with an A grade or an E grade.
78% of students taking exams this year in year 11 (age 16) achieved at least 5 higher grades (A*-C).
21% of students achieved at least 9 A and A* grades!
The number of students gaining 5 GCSEs at A*-C including English and mathematics has again gone up significantly to 66%, improving on last year’s performance, and there have been many outstanding individual performances, including all 12 passes at A* level.
For the third year a sizeable number of students were entered for GCSE in French in year 9 – two years early!
An amazing 83% achieved a high grade pass. This early entry policy paid dividends as 25 students in year 11 achieved Advanced level qualifications in French, building on their success when they themselves were in year 9. This is an excellent achievement, bucking the trend of a national dip in numbers of students taking modern languages.
