A Level Results

We congratulate all our Year 13 students who received their grades this week. The average grade awarded of B was higher than in previous years, with many appeals still to to come because of the flaws in the algorithm which assigned the grades and last minute changes introduced by the Secretary of State.

The pattern of university admission is also similar to previous years with about 50% of students matriculating at Russell Group universities and substantial Oxbridge and medical school success. It is perhaps an indication of the chaotic nature of the process of A level grade awards this year that it will take a little longer for an accurate picture of all student destinations and results to emerge. In due course, when the combined storms of algorithms and coronavirus have subsided we will be able to gather together to properly applaud our wonderful students and their teachers.

Print

Launching LC Press

The College has launched a publishing platform called LC Press. You can link to the site here. The site is a collective effort of staff and pupils borne of reflections and inspiration in lockdown.

We aim to publish a weekly podcast Imagination in Education available on the site, on Spotify, Google Podcast and soon on Apple iTunes.

The Principal, Hans Broekman, has written a book: Confessions of a Headteacher, a series of reflections about his work in education which is being published by LC Press as part of the launch. It is available at cost here.

Print

“All things considered” Performing Arts Talk

Creativity, theatre and politics are not normally words that are placed together within the same profession. However, for Emma Bramley, these define her life. Emma is managing director of a Theatre company called ‘All things considered’, which use applied theatre to try to raise awareness of key issues in society and use this as a medium for challenging the norm and bringing about political and social change.

Talking to a group of Year 9 pupils, Emma spoke about the development of her career and the qualifications she has attained within her chosen field. It was fascinating to listen to the projects she has been involved in over the past few years and why she has found it such a valuable and rewarding career choice. Our thanks to Emma Bramley for such an inspirational talk.

Mrs Doran

Print

Life Insurance and Coronavirus

Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students were invited to attend a fascinating talk this week led by Grace Harrison. Grace is an insurance actuary for Royal London Life Insurance. Her job is to analyse statistical models to calculate projected risk for individuals, including assessing mortality, morbidity and longevity. In the light of COVID, Grace firstly explained the vocabulary surrounded the pandemic, including phrases such as excess deaths and the 'r rate,' then looked at the factors informing the computer modelling currently being used to assess the risk of the pandemic in the UK. She relayed how very small changes in data assumption can have dramatic implications in outcomes for modelling the impact of the coronavirus. The limitations and usefulness of such models were also discussed. As a life insurance actuary, Grace has an interesting perspective and presented some very interesting graphs tracing mortality rates in the UK over the past 40 years.

Mrs Doran

Print

Sports Day with a Twist

On Wednesday, the secondary phase sports staff organised a mini sports day in the Hub with a twist. Instead of pupils participating in different events between houses, this time it was class bubbles. The safe events that took place included relay, carrying a Rugby tackle tube across the pitch and a skipping race. All events were keenly fought with pupils from each bubble enthusiastically cheering their team on during a sunny afternoon.

Mr Cook

Print

Year 8 Talk: Life as a Lawyer

Rachel Giles delighted Year 8 pupils interested in careers in Law on Tuesday by delivering a superb talk about careers in law. Rachel firstly explained the fundamental role of law within society and of the vital roles lawyers, barristers, legal executives and paralegals play in upholding these laws. After an explanations of possible routes into law professions including both academic and vocational, Rachel offered extremely valuable advice to pupils about how best to achieve their life goals.  Our sincere thanks to Mrs Giles for giving up her valuable time so generously.

Mrs Doran

Print