Connections www.culford.co.uk
Autumn 2013
Helping in Malawi
Exam Success
This summer 38 Lower Sixth Formers and six teachers set off to renew the School’s strong connections with Malawi, having worked tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds for the trip. Such is the shortage of blood reserves in Malawi, 30 of them chose to donate blood during the Blantyre leg of the trip. Many commented on how rewarding, yet chilling it felt to know that their donations would be used immediately to save lives. Throughout the year pupils raised an amazing £10,000 for a much needed new hostel at Good News Children's Home in Sorgin, Southern Malawi. The pupils also enjoyed teaching at eight Blantyre Primary Schools using resources they had also fundraised for through the Charchar Trust. The average class size was close to one hundred pupils and on one occasion was an astounding two hundred. The group returned much enriched by their experiences having gained a cultural insight to Malawi, 'the warm heart of Africa'. Marion Black (U6), commented, "The gratitude for Culford's support is overwhelming", while Leila King (U6) expressed, "It was so lovely to be surrounded by the children, their faces glowing with pride and appreciation".
Culford pupils have once again reaped the rewards of their hard work in the summer examinations.
Over the last 3 years, 44% of all GCSEs and 36% of all A Levels were awarded A* or A grades. At GCSE virtually all pupils achieved 5 A*-C grades, and most performed considerably better than this, with our top pupils achieving suites of A* and A grades. Ellie Jones and Georgina Sutton each achieved 7 A* and 3 A grades. Amidst recent reports of a national downturn in mathematics results, Culford students bucked the trend, achieving excellent maths iGCSE results: in particular, the Year 10 top set, who sit this examination a year early, did better than ever this year with 16 out of the 21 pupils achieving A* grades and the remaining 5 achieving As. The next challenge is the tough Additional Mathematics course which will doubtless give them similar success next year. At A level there were a whole host of excellent performances, not just in terms of grades achieved but also with respect to value added. Over 40% of our leavers gained places at Russell Group Universities. Placements of particular note include Adam Rampling (A*AAA) who secured a place at the Royal Veterinary College, Marion Black (AAA) who has a place at the University of Birmingham to read Medicine and Lily Lv (A*AAA) who was accepted to read Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, which is considered to be the best chemical engineering course in the world. A Level students
Culford Connections is a termly newsletter for Culford School bringing together news from the Senior, Prep and Pre-Prep Schools