Blue & Gold Newsletter, Exam Results 2023

ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE YEAR FOR HCS EXAM RESULTS Hereford Cathedral School saw an excellent set of A-Level results again this year, surpassing all national averages for A-Levels and excellence across the board in GCSEs.

SENIOR & SIXTH FORM

Alongside their duties as Heads of School, Will MJ, Minnie A, Edward M and Olivia T all won places at their impressive first-choice universities – Will won a place at the University of Durham to study Engineering, Olivia heads to Birmingham to study French, Ed’s 3 A*s and an A in AS Economics (plus a GCSE in Russian!) gained him a place at St Andrews to study Chemistry, and Minnie won a place at Bristol to read English

Literature. She said: “I’ve absolutely loved studying at HCS. The support has been second to none; oneto-one whenever you need it and the teachers have been really supportive and understanding of any circumstance, and just really tried to make you thrive.”

In GCSEs, an outstanding 72% of grades achieved in Biology, Chemistry and Physics were grades 9-7 (A*/A), while in Latin 92% of students achieved the top grades.

Art students had another superb year with well over two thirds of students being awarded a 7 or above.

H E R E F O R D C AT H E D R A L S C H O O L H I G H-F LY E R S H E A D F O R OX B R I D G E All of the four HCS students with Oxbridge offers were successful in taking their places after receiving their A-Level results. Amongst them were Ioan O, Wills W and Tom S. Ioan won a place with a choral scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford University to read History, having achieved A* grades in History and English Language & Literature, and A grades in Latin and Maths. Ioan also gained an A* in his Extended Project Qualification for which he wrote and published a book on the Hereford Cathedral Misericords. He said: “It’s been absolutely wonderful to spend my time at HCS and they’ve been motivating and have helped me to succeed the entire way through my journey.”

Wills won a place at Cambridge University to read Veterinary Medicine, with two A*s in Maths and Chemistry and A grades in Biology, his EPQ and AS Level Latin. He was grateful to his teachers for their support, adding: “I’m overjoyed – ecstatic – about my place.”

TOP ACHIEVERS LOOK TO THE FUTURE Amongst Hereford Cathedral School’s highest achieving A-Level students was Ben D (second left) who achieved A*s in Classical Civilisation and Geography and an A in History and goes on to study Politics & International Relations at the University of Bath. Alex C (third left) also had a fantastic set of results with A grades in Biology, Geography and Latin and an AS Level in Greek, and Kiera T (centre) achieved A grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, plus an A in Further Maths AS. She is excited to be taking up her place at Sheffield to study Material Science & Engineering.

GCSE STARS READY FOR HCS SIXTH FORM SUCCESS Top-performing GCSE student, Holly C (below left), was awarded a clean sweep of grade 9s in her twelve subjects and is continuing her studies in HCS Sixth Form with A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Spanish and Art. Georgia E (centre) and Evie H (right) achieved an incredible 19 grade 9s and five

There was great GCSE news from the Science Department this year, with an outstanding 72% of grades achieved in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at grades 9-7 (A*/A).

grade 8s between them. Georgia said: “I’m so proud, and my teachers have definitely helped me so much.”

Speaking of her plans for Sixth Form, Evie said: “I’m doing Latin, French, Chemistry and Geography with a Greek GCSE alongside.

I think the Classics Department at HCS is really good, and really supportive.”

DIGITAL STRATEGY REVOLUTIONISES TEACHING AND LEARNING AT HCS The roll-out of Hereford Cathedral School’s digital strategy in 2022 was perhaps the single biggest change in the School’s long history, when pupils and staff made the shift from paper-based work to working on devices.

The School’s vision was to create a community of digitally literate learners who are real-world ready and equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

C H I C A G O TA K E S C O U R T YA R D C R O W D S B Y S T O R M Six months of learning dance steps, lyrics and lines finally came to fruition in February, when Hereford Cathedral School’s production of Chicago hit the stage at The Courtyard.

The three-night run of of Kander and Ebb’s deliciously dark musical extravaganza wowed audiences with its signature numbers, including And All That Jazz, When You’re Good to Mama and Razzle Dazzle as the story of Chicago unfolded. This followed the School's acclaimed productions of Macbeth (2022), Oliver! (2019) and Fiddler on the Roof (2016).

Year 13 pupil, Ellie P (above centre), who starred in the principal role of Roxie Hart in two of the three shows, said: "It felt amazing to get on the stage after months of work. Seeing all of the elements of the musical come together was so exciting!"

Head of Drama, Mr Martin, added: "We were absolutely delighted with the enormous success of Chicago at The Courtyard. There was such a wonderful buzz about the audience, and I know the cast, crew and musicians made memories that will last forever.

It's really got us excited for all the opportunities for productions that await."

Pupils quickly adapted to the use of OneNote as the primary platform for their classwork and Teams Assignments for their homework. Feedback from a survey conducted at the end of the Autumn Term 2022 was overwhelmingly positive, with pupils citing improvements in organisation, IT skills and of especial importance, engagement in lessons.

Headmaster Dr Gray said: “The digital strategy has opened up a range of new opportunities in teaching and learning, enabling innovation, collaboration and creativity like never before.”

Headmaster, Dr Gray, added: "Chicago was a triumph and its resounding success was testament to all those involved. One of the comments that parents and spectators kept making to me was that it felt much more like a West End production than something that a school could put together, which highlights the incredible talent on show, both on and off the stage. All three nights were simply spectacular and every person who made this extravaganza a possibility is worthy of tremendous praise."

HCS CADETS TAKE TO THE SKIES DURING EXCITING VISIT TO RNAS YEOVILTON Hereford Cathedral School’s Royal Navy section cadets were lucky enough to take to the skies during their visit to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in June.

The group were hosted by 845 Naval Air Squadron. Upon arrival at base, our cadets spent the morning touring around the unit, which included the air traffic control tower and various other squadrons of the unit before having lunch in the Junior Ranks mess hall.

The afternoon was spent with 845 touring the hangar, looking over the kit and carrying out safety brief and training before rounding off the day with an unforgettable flight in a Merlin Helicopter.

Another hugely enriching experience for our CCF cadets.

H I G H L I G H T S O F 2022-23

SEPTEMBER: The Week’s Independent Schools Guide chose Hereford Cathedral School as ‘Great for Music’ from all of the UK’s independent schools.

SIX HCS MEDALS AT NATIONAL SCHOOLS REGAT TA Hereford Cathedral School rowers showcased remarkable talent and dedication at this year’s National Schools Regatta, the UK’s biggest event for junior rowers aged 14 to 18.

Twenty-seven athletes represented the School with many competing in the prestigious ‘A’ final and six pupils scooping silver medals.

AUTUMN TERM: There were two big wins for Hereford Cathedral School sport in autumn 2022, with the 1st XV retaining the Apple Cup in November, while in December, the Senior Hockey team won the inaugural Cathedral Cities Cup.

Year 13 pupil and Head of School Will M-J dominated both his heat and semi-final and went on to take second place in his final, beating bronze by an incredible 10 seconds.

The girls’ J15 coxed quad – Abigail U, Elizabeth U, Emily W, Grace W and Ellie P – came first in their time trial and dug deep in their final to secure the silver. A further four crews took fourth place, just missing out on medals.

Out of 5000 competitors, HCS were one of only 28 schools/clubs to win medals and one of just 12 who brought home multiple medals. These amazing experiences will stay with our athletes for years to come.

Then HCS Head of Rowing, Mr Wellburn reacted proudly to the crews’ successes: “These individuals displayed their skills against the best in the country. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to all our students, encouraging them to aim high and reach for their dreams. I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making our rowing programme a resounding success.”

C A N TA B I L E'S B I G DAY AT B A R N A R D O'S N AT I O N A L C H O R A L CO M P E T I T I O N Hereford Cathedral School's acclaimed Cantabile Girls' Choir enjoyed a successful trip to Birmingham Symphony Hall in February, placing second in the Barnardo's National Choral Competition. Cantabile had successfully got through to the final six out of many senior choir entries, and the competition was a thrilling experience for the girls.

Congratulations to Cantabile, Mrs Williamson and pianist, Mr Preece, on this fantastic result.

CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS OFFICE: 01432 363506 admissions@herefordcs.com HEREFORDCS.COM

BILL HISKETT

Cantabile Musical Director, Mrs Jo Williamson, commented: "Whilst I am so proud of these young people for coming second in a national school singing competition, I am more pleased to have been able to provide them with the experience of this event, and I hope other opportunities will follow."