It has been a happy day here at Sydenham High School where we celebrated excellent A Level results for our outgoing year 13. The rain did not dampen spirits as our newest cohort of alumnae reconvened in the Orangery to toast their 100% pass rate with a celebratory drink.

We are so proud of all our girls, who now leave us to pursue their own future paths, be that at university or Art foundation courses, filled with the positivity and determination which is encapsulated in the Sydenham spirit.

Almost a third of the grades received were A* or A with 88% achieving A*-C grades; with an increase of almost 10% on our A*-B% from last year. The new linear A Level course has meant a challenging shift in learning and teaching styles, but we are proud that our students have coped so well and we are looking forward to hearing all about their studies in Economics, History, Politics, Theology, Philosophy and more as they spread across the country to take up university places at Bristol, Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Warwick, York as well as Art Foundation courses at Kingston, Canterbury and the Art Academy.

Headmistress, Katharine Woodcock, said:

I am enormously proud of our year 13. They have been an impressive year group in so many ways and they have more than met the challenges of the academic rigour required for this level of study. They have been exceptional role models to the lower years and contributed wholeheartedly to the life of Sydenham High and they have very bright futures ahead of them. I wish them every success and happiness as they move on to the next stages of their lives and I congratulate them on all that they have achieved.

Director of Sixth Form, Rebecca Parrish, is especially proud of this year group:

As my first year 12 cohort, I have seen them through the past two years and watched their progress. They should be incredibly pleased – the university and foundation places that they have received highlight just how well they have done. I couldn’t be happier for them.