Key Stage 5 Awards Evening 2018

Over 200 former Sixth Form students and their parents/carers returned to be awarded with A Level certificates and prizes at the annual KS5 Awards Evening. Students were joined by parents, teachers and governors, as well as the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Margo Payne, Chairman of West Berkshire Council, Councillor Carol Jackson-Doerge and Councillor Howard Bairstow, to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

30 students were awarded Special Prizes for Academic Achievement, having obtained 3 or more A* and A’s at A Level. In keeping with the Sixth Form’s belief in recognising and investing in all students’ potential, Special Prizes for Progress shown between KS4-KS5 were also given to a further 10 students.

In addition to subject awards, excellence in sport, leadership, public speaking and fortitude were recognised. The occasion also highlighted the importance of community, with awards given to students who made an outstanding contribution their Houses.

Joseph Seward, was also acknowledged for his contribution to the wider community including his sponsored cycle-ride for Guide Dogs UK, funding and organising a first aid training day, volunteering at West Berkshire community hospital and winning the British Wheelchair Basketball Association Young Volunteer of the Year Award in June 2017.

It is important to foster a sense of community, inclusiveness and belonging within our Houses, Sixth Form, the wider school and our local community. We are so proud of the key role our Sixth Formers play in leading and inspiring the younger years.

The evening culminated in an inspirational and entertaining address from a former student, Holly Titford, who is forging a successful career in the Cabinet Office. Holly’s best memories of St Bart’s include energetic discussion in the debating society and “the joy of a jam doughnut” after a freezing cold lacrosse match. Holly adds “St Bart’s gave me a real appetite for learning for learning’s sake, this curiosity has stood me in good stead throughout my short career so far.”

It is always a pleasure to reward our A Level students for their hard work and commitment, and this year is particularly special as so many of our students gained exceptional results. In the summer of 2018, at A Level 33% of all grades were A*/A and 82% of all grades were C grade or better.