The Friary achieved its highest ever subject pass-rate of 96% although the percentage of A and B grades (at 43%) was slightly lower than last year’s figure.

The outstanding individual A2 performances came from Sarah Hadley, who earned herself a superb total of 5 straight Grade A’s; also from Lucy Dubberley, Rachel Stonehouse, Daniel Upton and Jonathan Wilcox  – who all excelled in gaining 4; and from Matthew Haslam and Matthew O’Donoghue who both produced 3 Grade A’s amongst their passes. In addition a further 8 students – Katie Arnstein, Ian McWilliam, James Mejor, Daniel Newbould, Rebecca Newman, Bobby Smith-Baker, Sam Spence and Jason Tsang – all achieved 2 Grade A’s. Many of the above also recorded A Grades in other AS subjects they had entered. 

Retiring headteacher John Brough paid tribute to the hard work, determination and talent of the students, supported by the high quality teaching and guidance provided by staff at The Friary.

“I congratulate the students on their results, and in celebrating the outstanding performances from our ‘high flyers’, I am also very proud of the successes of those young people who entered the sixth form two years ago unsure at that time of their potential for higher education but who have now gained the necessary grades for entry to university. They – and their school – can be rightly proud of all these achievements. I wish all our students well as they move on to new horizons.”